Dermoscopic features of nails in Leprosy patients in a tertiary referral hospital in West Java, Indonesia.

INTRODUCTION: Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infectious disease, mainly affecting the skin and peripheral nerves, caused by the obligate intracellular bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. The disease has been discussed in several review articles in recent research, but as far as we know, only a few have addressed the effects of leprosy on nails, especially those who examine the dermoscopic features of nails in leprosy patients. PURPOSES: We aimed to document nail changes in leprosy patients and identify any particular findings through dermoscopic examination. METHOD: This was an observational study conducted in the Dermatology and Venereology Clinic of Hasan Sadikin Hospital, West Java, Indonesia, from March 2023 through May 2023. All patients have established cases of leprosy, and the diagnosis is based on clinical and bacteriological examinations. Recruitment was done through total sampling. Dermoscopic examination of all fingernails and toenails was performed at 10x magnification using a handheld dermatoscope (Heine DELTA 20 T Dermatoscope) in polarized mode without the linkage fluid to document the dermoscopic features. RESULT: Of a total of 19 patients, 15 had nail changes due to leprosy. Out of 15 patients, 13 patients were male. Patients below 25 years old had more nail changes. Most of the patients had a duration of disease greater than two years. Both fingers and toes were involved in nine patients. In this study, the most common dermoscopic feature found was the longitudinal ridge. Other dermoscopic features found in this study were transverse lines, onycholysis, longitudinal melanonychia, leukonychia, subungual hemorrhage, subungual hyperkeratosis, anonychia, and onychorrexis. CONCLUSION: Nail changes are found in leprosy patients and have a wide variety of clinical appearances. A dermoscopy should be performed to assess nail changes in leprosy.

Diagnosis and management of longitudinal erythronychia: A clinical review by an expert panel.

Longitudinal erythronychia (LE) is defined as a longitudinal red band of the nail(s) and is classified as localized (involvement of 1 nail) or polydactylous (involvement of more than 1 nail). The differential diagnosis is distinct for these classifications. The etiologies of localized longitudinal erythronychia are most frequently benign subungual neoplasms and less often malignancies. Polydactylous longitudinal erythronychia is typically secondary to regional or systemic diseases, including lichen planus and Darier disease. LE is a common but underrecognized clinical finding. Increased dermatologist awareness of the clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis for LE is necessary given the possibility for malignancy and associated systemic disease. In this clinical review, the clinical features, differential diagnosis, evaluation, and management of LE are described.

Atypical cutaneous findings of hand-foot-mouth disease in children: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) is a common childhood infectious disease. Atypical skin findings of HFMD, often associated with coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6), were first reported in 2008, with increasing reports worldwide since. Atypical lesions of HFMD often involve sites beyond the palms and soles and tend to have unusual, polymorphic morphology. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted on clinical features and outcomes of pediatric HFMD with atypical cutaneous manifestations. RESULTS: Eighty-five studies were included, representing 1359 cases with mean age 2.4 years and a male predominance of 61%. The most reported morphologies were vesicles (53%), papules (49%), and bullae (36%). Other morphologies included eczema herpeticum-like (19%), purpuric/petechial (7%), and Gianotti Crosti-like (4%). Common atypical sites included the arms and/or legs (47%), face (45%), and trunk (27%). CVA6 was identified in 63% of cases. Symptoms resolved in a mean of 10 days. Overall, 16% of cases received treatment, most commonly with acyclovir, intravenous antibiotics, or topical steroids. The most common complications were nail changes (21%) and desquamation (4%) which occurred a mean of 3 and 2 weeks after symptoms, respectively. CONCLUSION: Due to unusual morphologies resembling other conditions, HFMD with atypical cutaneous findings may be misdiagnosed, leading to inappropriate and unnecessary investigations, hospitalization, and treatment. Greater awareness of atypical presentations of HFMD is warranted to improve patient care and counseling on infection control precautions.

Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica (Basex syndrome) with trachyonychia preceding the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica (Basex syndrome) is a rare paraneoplastic condition hallmarked by psoriasiform lesion development on acral surfaces, most often related to an underlying squamous cell carcinoma. Patients may also present with nail plate changes. Successful management of this condition can be accomplished by treating the underlying malignancy.

Digital Glomus Tumor - A Commonly Undiagnosed Cause of Finger Pain: Case Report.

Glomus tumors are rare vascular hamartomas most commonly found in the subungual region of the fingers. They present with a classic triad of paroxysmal pain, point tenderness, and cold sensitivity. The diagnosis is often missed for several years due to under recognition of this condition. A 42-year-old female presented with a several year history of pain in the middle finger when it was struck or exposed to cold. She had point tenderness on the fingernail, and increased curvature of the nail. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed a 7mm subungual glomus tumor. The tumor was surgically excised via a transungual approach, resulting in complete relief of her pain. Glomus tumors are diagnosed clinically based on the presence of classic symptoms and positive provocative tests. These tests include point tenderness on palpation and pain when ice is placed on the digit. MRI imaging can be used when the diagnosis is unclear or to localize the tumor prior to surgery. Increased awareness of this condition among physicians could reduce the time to diagnosis and treatment.

[Translated article] Congenital and Hereditary Nail Disease.

Nail disorders in newborns can show independently or as components of systemic illnesses or genodermatoses. The examination of these abnormalities is complex and sometimes challenging. However, familiarity with these disorders can significantly contribute to uncovering potential underlying conditions. This review includes the physiological nail changes seen within the first few months of life, such as Beau's lines, onychoschizia, koilonychia, congenital nail fold hypertrophy of the first digit, and onychocryptosis. This review also focuses on the most relevant congenital disorders reported and how to perform differential diagnosis. Finally, this review highlights those hereditary diseases in which nail involvement is crucial for diagnosis, such as nail-patella syndrome, congenital pachyonychia, or congenital dyskeratosis, among others.

Intralesional Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine versus Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative Injections in the Treatment of Palmoplantar and Periungual Warts: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Palmoplantar and periungual warts tend to be recalcitrant. Intralesional immunotherapy can provide high efficacy with additional benefit to distant warts. However, evidence on comparative effects between intralesional immunotherapy with measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR) and tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) and roles of dermoscopy in predicting treatment outcomes in palmoplantar/periungual warts is limited. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to compare efficacy and safety of intralesional MMR and PPD injections in treatment of palmoplantar/periungual warts and explore associations between dermoscopic findings and treatment outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial involving 40 patients with palmoplantar/periungual warts who were equally assigned to receive MMR or PPD. Intralesional injection was done every 2 weeks until clearance or maximum of 5 treatments. RESULTS: Complete resolution was higher in MMR than PPD group (90.0% vs. 80.0% in index lesion and 81.3% vs. 54.6% in distant lesions, respectively), although the differences were statistically nonsignificant. Dermoscopic findings were not significantly associated with complete resolution. Local swelling, i.e., the most common adverse event, occurred more frequently in PPD (40.0%) than MMR group (10.0%). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that intralesional immunotherapy with either MMR or PPD is efficacious in palmoplantar/periungual warts, with MMR showing a trend toward higher clearance and lower adverse events.

Median canaliform nail dystrophy in a 2-year-old boy: Case report and review of the literature.

Median canaliform nail dystrophy (MCD) is a rare nail abnormality with an unknown etiology. We report the case of MCD of both great toenails in a 2-year-old boy presenting with a fir tree nail pattern and longitudinal splits. MCD was treated with topical marigold therapy (Tagetes sp.). By 15 weeks, the proximal 50% of the MCD had normalized. The report highlights a potential new treatment of marigold therapy for MCD.

Assessment of nail fold capillary changes by hand-held dermoscopy in adult dermatomyositis: A single-centre prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Hand-held dermoscopy is a valuable tool for dermatologists, but it has been rarely used to assess the nail fold capillary (NFC) in patients with dermatomyositis (DM). METHODS: Patients were collected from the Department of Dermatology and Venereology from July 2020 to July 2021, and the follow-up was conducted until January 2022. Demographic features, disease activity and NFC changes were analysed using a hand-held dermoscopy. RESULTS: The most common NFC finding in our study was bushy capillary (87.0%). There was no significant improvement in scleroderma-dermatomyositis (SD)-like nail fold changes or enlarged capillaries from baseline to 12 weeks of treatment (p > 0.05) or from 12 weeks to 24 weeks of treatment (p > 0.05), but there was a significant improvement from baseline to 24 weeks of treatment (p < 0.05). The avascular area did not improve from baseline to 12 weeks of follow-up, but the changes were significant from 12 weeks to 24 weeks of treatment (p < 0.05) and baseline to 24 weeks of treatment (p < 0.05). Periungual erythema improved significantly from baseline to 12 weeks of treatment (p < 0.05) and baseline to 24 weeks of treatment (p < 0.05), but it did not improve significantly from 12 weeks to 24 weeks of treatment (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in disease activity between patients with or without specific NFC changes. However, some NFC features improved as disease activity decreased. CONCLUSION: Dermoscopy of NFC is a cost-effective option for the preliminary diagnosis of DM. Further, long-term follow-up is necessary to study the relationship between disease activity and NFC changes.

Approach to nail trauma for primary care physicians.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview and approach to common nail bed injuries seen by primary care practitioners. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: An Ovid MEDLINE literature search was performed using search terms and studies were graded based on level of evidence. MAIN MESSAGE: Nail trauma is common in primary care practice and requires proper and prompt treatment to avoid lasting effects on finger function and cosmesis. When presented with a fingernail injury, primary care physicians should perform a thorough physical examination to determine extent of injury; take a history to rule out notable risk factors; perform a comprehensive neurovascular examination to assess pulp capillary refill, to do a 2-point discrimination, and to compare with an uninjured digit; and evaluate range of motion. Clinical evaluation may require local anesthesia and a tourniquet. Nail bed trauma can present in different ways and includes subungual hematomas, distal phalanx fractures, Seymour fractures, and-in more severe cases-fragmentation or avulsion of the nail bed. Treatment for subungual hematomas where the nail plate is intact does not require nail plate removal and nail bed exploration; however, exploration and repair are indicated for a nail plate injury, a proximal fracture involving the germinal matrix, and a distal phalanx fracture requiring stabilization. CONCLUSION: Fingertips are essential to normal hand function. Nail trauma is common and can be managed by primary care physicians. Shared decision making concerning management is based on the mechanism and extent of the injury and aims to prevent secondary deformities.

Self-induced nail disorders (SINDs): What do we know so far?

Self-induced nail disorders are a broad group of different clinical manifestations that share the common trait of being caused more or less voluntarily by the patient. These are distinct conditions within the clinical spectrum of onychotillomania. Most patients diagnosed with these disorders have psychiatric co-morbidities, and a multidisciplinary approach is thus highly recommended. The purpose of this review is to describe the most common clinical features encountered during daily nail consultations and to provide useful diagnostic tools and therapeutic tips for the best approach to these conditions.

Cysteinyl-tRNA Synthetase Mutations Cause a Multi-System, Recessive Disease That Includes Microcephaly, Developmental Delay, and Brittle Hair and Nails.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are essential enzymes responsible for charging tRNA molecules with cognate amino acids. Consistent with the essential function and ubiquitous expression of ARSs, mutations in 32 of the 37 ARS-encoding loci cause severe, early-onset recessive phenotypes. Previous genetic and functional data suggest a loss-of-function mechanism; however, our understanding of the allelic and locus heterogeneity of ARS-related disease is incomplete. Cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase (CARS) encodes the enzyme that charges tRNACys with cysteine in the cytoplasm. To date, CARS variants have not been implicated in any human disease phenotype. Here, we report on four subjects from three families with complex syndromes that include microcephaly, developmental delay, and brittle hair and nails. Each affected person carries bi-allelic CARS variants: one individual is compound heterozygous for c.1138C>T (p.Gln380∗) and c.1022G>A (p.Arg341His), two related individuals are compound heterozygous for c.1076C>T (p.Ser359Leu) and c.1199T>A (p.Leu400Gln), and one individual is homozygous for c.2061dup (p.Ser688Glnfs∗2). Measurement of protein abundance, yeast complementation assays, and assessments of tRNA charging indicate that each CARS variant causes a loss-of-function effect. Compared to subjects with previously reported ARS-related diseases, individuals with bi-allelic CARS variants are unique in presenting with a brittle-hair-and-nail phenotype, which most likely reflects the high cysteine content in human keratins. In sum, our efforts implicate CARS variants in human inherited disease, expand the locus and clinical heterogeneity of ARS-related clinical phenotypes, and further support impaired tRNA charging as the primary mechanism of recessive ARS-related disease.

Biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs may mitigate the risk of psoriatic arthritis in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in patients with psoriasis who had received a continuous treatment with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) compared with phototherapy. METHODS: A retrospective non-randomised study involving patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, who were prescribed at least 5 years of bDMARDs or at least three narrow-band ultraviolet light B (nb-UVB) phototherapy courses, and did not have a diagnosis of PsA at enrolment. Development of PsA in each patient was assessed by a rheumatologist according to the Classification for Psoriatic Arthritis criteria. The annual and cumulative incidence rate of PsA was estimated by using an event per person-years analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were undertaken to assess the hazard risk (HR) of PsA after adjustment for confounders. RESULTS: A total of 464 psoriatic patients (bDMARDs, n=234 and nb-UVB, n=230) were followed between January 2012 and September 2020 (corresponding to 1584 and 1478 person year of follow-up for the two groups, respectively). The annual incidence rate of PsA was 1.20 cases (95% CI 0.77 to 1.89) versus 2.17 cases (95% CI 1.53 to 3.06) per 100 patients/year in the bDMARDs versus phototherapy group, respectively (HR 0.29, 0.12-0.70; p=0.006). The variables independently associated with higher risk of PsA were older age (adjusted HR 1.04, 1.02-1.07), nail psoriasis (adjusted HR 3.15, 1.63-6.06) and psoriasis duration >10 years (adjusted HR 2.02, 1.09-3.76); notably, bDMARDs treatment was associated with a lower risk of incident PsA (adjusted HR 0.27, 0.11-0.66). CONCLUSIONS: bDMARDs treatment may delay or reduce the risk of incident PsA in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

Treating the skin with biologics in patients with psoriasis decreases the incidence of psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the incidence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in patients with psoriasis (PsO) according to different treatments for their skin: topics/no treatment, conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (cDMARDs) or biological DMARDs (bDMARDs). METHODS: Patients with PsO without PsA followed at a university hospital were included in this retrospective cohort study. Patients were classified according to their treatment in topics (topics, phototherapy or no treatment), cDMARDs (methotrexate and cyclosporine) and bDMARDs (tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), interleukin 17 inhibitors (IL-17i) and IL-12-23i ((interleukin (IL) 12/IL-23 inhibitor))) groups. Incident cases of PsA were attributed to one treatment if developed during the administration of that treatment. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the adjusted risk of PsA development by treatment group. RESULTS: 1719 patients with PsO contributed a total of 14 721 patient/years (py). 1387 (81%) patients were in the topics, 229 (13%) in cDMARDs and 103 (6%) in the bDMARDs group. During follow-up, 239 patients (14%) developed PsA (231 under topics, six under cDMARDs and two under bDMARDs). Global incidence was 1.6 per 100 py. The risk of developing PsA in patients with PsO treated with bDMARDs was significantly lower (incidence rate ratio (IRR)=0.26; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.94; p=0.0111), compared with topics, but not compared with cDMARDs (IRR=0.35; 95% CI 0.035 to 1.96; p=0.1007). Adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that male sex, nail involvement and higher body max index were associated with increased risk of developing PsA, while biologics use was protective (HR: 0.19; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.81). CONCLUSION: Treatment with biologics in patients with PsO reduced the risk of PsA development.

Secukinumab demonstrates high and sustained efficacy in nail psoriasis: post hoc analysis from phase III trials in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Secukinumab showed consistent and sustained efficacy in clearing nail psoriasis in patients with psoriatic arthritis, with or without axial manifestations, irrespective of severity of nail involvement. Reduction of nail disease was also associated with response across all musculoskeletal and skin manifestations of psoriatic arthritis.

Secukinumab provides sustained improvement in nail psoriasis, signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis and low rate of radiographic progression in patients with concomitant nail involvement: 2-year results from the Phase III FUTURE 5 study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of secukinumab on nail psoriasis and other psoriatic disease manifestations in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with concomitant nail psoriasis from the FUTURE 5 study. METHODS: Eligible patients were randomly allocated to receive subcutaneous secukinumab (300 mg load [300 mg], 150 mg load [150 mg], and 150 mg [no load]) or placebo weekly and then every 4 weeks starting Week 4. Key assessments through Week 104 in this post hoc analysis included modified Nail Psoriasis Severity (mNAPSI), Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 90), resolution of dactylitis and enthesitis, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and radiographic progression (assessed by vdH-mTSS). RESULTS: At baseline, 66.6% patients (663/996) had concomitant nail psoriasis. Baseline characteristics were balanced in the nail subset and comparable with the overall population. Secukinumab reduced mNAPSI score at Week 16 versus placebo: -8.71 (300 mg), -8.95 (150 mg), -7.55 (150 mg no load) versus -2.34 (placebo); all p<0.0001. Mean change from baseline in DLQI at Week 16 was -8.5 (300 mg), -7.4 (150 mg), -7.3 (150 mg no load) versus -2.4 (placebo); all p<0.0001. Overall, the improvements reported at Week 16 sustained through Week 104. The proportion of patients with no radiographic progression (change from baseline in vdH-mTSS≤0.5) at Week 104 was 91.9% (300 mg) 78.9% (150 mg), and 82.4% (150 mg no load). CONCLUSIONS: Secukinumab provided sustained improvements in nail disease, signs and symptoms of PsA, and a low rate of radiographic progression through 2 years in patients with concomitant nail psoriasis.

Topical cyclosporine hydrogel preparation: A new therapeutic option in the treatment of nail psoriasis.

Nail psoriasis is a chronic nail disorder that commonly affects psoriatic patients causing severe distress despite the limited body surface area. Treatments for nail psoriasis are limited, as nails are often difficult to treat with topical therapies, and among different systemic agents responses are unpredictable. We carried out a prospective study in order to analyze the effectiveness and tolerability of topical cyclosporine hydrogel ointment in nail psoriasis. Three patients, for a total of 44 nails, were treated with topical cyclosporine hydrogel ointment. All nails were evaluated, before starting the treatment, every 28 days and after 12 weeks of therapy, by the same dermatologists, through clinical and onychoscopic evaluations. The patients were also asked to assess on the compliance with product use. Complete response (CR) was observed in 2 of 3 patients; a partial response (PR) was observed in the other patient. Overall, 24 of 44 nails had CR and 20 had a PR. Cyclosporine hydrogel ointment has shown efficacy and safety in the treatment of nail psoriasis. The product has also been shown to be stable in composition, easy to apply and not discomfortable for the patient.

Nail changes in diabetes.

Diabetes is a common condition that is increasing in incidence worldwide. Although the skin manifestations of this condition are well described, there is scant literature on the associated nail changes. In this review, we describe the various clinical features of nail changes associated with diabetes, which can be broadly divided into infections, vascular changes, neuropathic manifestations and miscellaneous changes, although there is overlap between them. There is no pathognomonic nail alteration, but it is important for clinicians to be aware of the potential nail manifestations in diabetes as they can facilitate investigations and thereby early diagnosis of diabetes, resulting in holistic management of the patient.

Causes of longitudinal nail splitting: a retrospective 56-case series with clinical pathological correlation.

BACKGROUND: Split nail (SN) is a rare type of nail fragility syndrome, characterized by a longitudinal fissure involving the entire thickness of the nail plate. Longitudinal nail splitting may be caused by direct injury to the nail plate or matrix insult. Few articles have been published on the topic, most were related to the traumatic aetiology. Some case reports mention tumours and inflammatory disorders as other causes. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the clinical and histopathological features of 56 SN collected at the nail consultation of the dermatology department at Saint Pierre University Hospital in Brussels, between 1997 and 2019. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included (34 women and 22 men) with median age of 44.2 years. The fingernails were 3.2 times more frequently affected than toenails, especially the thumb. The most frequent aetiologies were tumours (45.6%), inflammatory diseases (26.3%) and traumas (19.3%). Congenital (5.3%) and systemic disorders (3.5%) were rarer causes. Histopathological slide review confirmed that alteration of the nail matrix integrity causes split nail, resulting either from matrix stretching by an underlying tumour or from impairment of the keratinization process by inflammatory diseases, melanocytic tumours and Bowen's disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the largest case series of longitudinal nail splitting to date. It is the first to gather nail disorders causing SN with their clinical pathological correlation. The most common causes are traumatisms, tumours and inflammatory disorders. Congenital and systemic disorders are rarer. Tumours are responsible for half of the cases from which one third are malignant, mainly melanoma. When facing a monodactylic SN, benign as well as malignant tumours should be ruled out before concluding to traumatic aetiology.

Onychopapilloma: its clinical, dermoscopic and pathologic features.

BACKGROUND: Onychopapilloma is a benign tumour of the nail bed and distal matrix and commonly presents as longitudinal erythronychia, longitudinal leukonychia or longitudinal melanonychia. Because onychopapilloma is rare, its clinical characteristics and dermoscopic findings have not been well investigated in Asia. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and dermoscopic and pathologic findings of onychopapilloma in Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and clinical/dermoscopic photographs of 39 patients diagnosed with onychopapilloma in the Pusan National University Hospitals (Busan and Yangsan) for 11 years (2010-2021). RESULTS: Among 39 patients, 23 (59.0%) were men, and 16 (41.0%) were women. The mean age was 46.1 (16-77) years. All lesions were single, and most of them were located on the fingers (92.3%), especially the thumb (66.7%). The most common clinical feature was longitudinal erythronychia (56.4%), and the most common dermoscopic finding was distal subungual hyperkeratosis (100%). We found two new dermoscopic features: macrolunula and trailing lunula along the longitudinal band. Among 18 patients who underwent surgical excision, only 6 (33.3%) showed typical acanthosis and papillomatosis on the nail bed. CONCLUSIONS: We found that Asian onychopapilloma has similar clinicodermoscopic findings to the Caucasian one, that is to say, longitudinal erythronychia and distal subungual hyperkeratosis were the most common nail change and dermoscopic finding, respectively. We propose two new dermoscopic features of onychopapilloma: macrolunula and trailing lunula along the longitudinal band.