Infantile cortical hyperostosis (Caffey disease): a review

Purpose: Face swelling in infants may have several causes including infantile cortical hyperostosis (Caffey disease), an inflammatory process with swelling of soft tissues and periosteal hyperostosis of some bones. New insights show that this self-limited condition is collagen I-related.

Patients and methods: Collagen I is the most important component of bone and dentine. We reviewed literature to lighten this new collagenopathy, the first one with a self-regressive course.

Results: After describing a typical case and the clinical and radiologic features of the disease, we discuss the pathogenic pathways and management care for oral professionals.

Conclusions: Oral practitioners could be asked for differential diagnosis. Surgeons could be queried for surgical correction of the bony deformity, especially of facial and mandibular asymmetry.