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 one nail) or polydactylous (involvement of more than one nail). The differential diagnosis is distinct for these classifications. The etiologies of localized longitudinal erythronychia (LLE) are most frequently benign subungual neoplasms, and less often malignancies. Polydactylous longitudinal erythronychia (PLE) 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.

Gout Affecting the Nail Unit: Report of Two Cases and Literature Review.

Background: Gout is a depositional, inflammatory disorder that is rarely reported to affect the nail unit. Cases of gout involving the nail unit are likely under-recognized and therefore underreported. We present two cases of tophaceous gout affecting the nail unit and a literature review of the various presentations. Summary: Five cases of gout were identified to affect the nail unit. In all cases, these presented as white hyperkeratotic papulonodules with associated nail dystrophy. Chalky discharge was seen in three of the five cases. Nine cases were identified to have demonstrated pseudocarcinomatous changes that histopathologically mimic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Literature review highlights a range of findings including subclinical deposits of uric acid in the nail, onychoschizia, onychorrhexis, and Beau's line. Key Messages: Physicians should be aware of the subtle and nonspecific clinical findings of gout, which may be easily misconstrued for other pathological entities.

A Call for Evidence-Based Conservative Management of Nail Unit Malignancies.

SUMMARY: Nail unit squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma are the most common malignancies of the nail apparatus. Compared to their cutaneous counterparts, they are diagnosed later and perceived as more aggressive. This may result in overzealous management, including radiographic imaging with poor sensitivity and specificity, interventional nodal staging by sentinel lymph node biopsy, amputation over digit-sparing tumor resections, and elaborate reconstructions after tumor extirpation. In this review article, the authors evaluate the evidence behind several misconceptions in nail malignancy management and provide evidence-based guidance for more conservative care.

Expert Consensus on Nail Procedures and Selection of CPT Codes.

BACKGROUND: Dermatologists specialize in treating conditions of the skin, hair, and nails; however, it is our experience that the field of nail diseases is the least discussed facet of dermatology. Even less acknowledged is the complexity of nail procedures and how best to accurately code for these procedures. OBJECTIVE: To convene a panel of experts in nail disease to reach consensus on the most accurate and appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes associated with the most commonly performed nail procedures. METHODS: A questionnaire including 9 of the most commonly performed nail procedures and potential CPT codes was sent to experts in the treatment of nail disease, defined as those clinicians running a nail subspecialty clinic and performing nail procedures with regularity. A conference call was convened to discuss survey results. RESULTS: Unanimous consensus was reached on the appropriate CPT codes associated with all discussed procedures. LIMITATIONS: Although this article details the most commonly performed nail procedures, many were excluded and billing for these procedures continues to be largely subjective. This article is meant to serve as a guide for clinicians but should not be impervious to interpretation in specific clinical situations. CONCLUSION: Billing of nail procedures remains a practice gap within our field. The authors hope that the expert consensus on the most appropriate CPT codes associated with commonly performed nail procedures will aid clinicians as they diagnose and treat disorders of the nail unit and encourage accurate and complete billing practices.

Nail Surgery: Six Essential Techniques.

Successful nail surgery requires an understanding of specific disease processes, the anatomy of the nail unit, and fluency with only a few key techniques. This article focuses on 6 high-yield procedures, facility with which will allow the clinician to approach most of the clinical scenarios requiring surgical intervention. These encompass surgical approaches to inflammatory nail diseases, melanonychia, erythronychia, and nail melanoma in situ.

Subungual Nail Erythrasma Presenting as Melanonychia: A Rare Finding.

Nail pathology may reflect a wide array of localized and systemic dermatological conditions. Certain nail findings such as melanonychia can create diagnostic challenges even to nail experts. We report a case of a 78-year-old man who presented with melanonychia of the great toe. Nail clipping showed focal melanin deposition, and dermoscopy demonstrated a region of localized erythema in the lunula concerning for possible melanocytic neoplasm. Subsequent nail biopsy showed numerous vertically oriented filamentous bacteria and coccobacilli within the nail plate consistent with a diagnosis of subungual nail erythrasma. Nail erythrasma is a rare entity. Additionally, this case highlights a new clinical presentation of nail erythrasma as melanonychia.

Management of primary skin cancer during a pandemic: Multidisciplinary recommendations.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, providers and patients must engage in shared decision making regarding the pros and cons of early versus delayed interventions for localized skin cancer. Patients at highest risk of COVID-19 complications are older; are immunosuppressed; and have diabetes, cancer, or cardiopulmonary disease, with multiple comorbidities associated with worse outcomes. Physicians must weigh the patient's risk of COVID-19 complications in the event of exposure against the risk of worse oncologic outcomes from delaying cancer therapy. Herein, the authors have summarized current data regarding the risk of COVID-19 complications and mortality based on age and comorbidities and have reviewed the literature assessing how treatment delays affect oncologic outcomes. They also have provided multidisciplinary recommendations regarding the timing of local therapy for early-stage skin cancers during this pandemic with input from experts at 11 different institutions. For patients with Merkel cell carcinoma, the authors recommend prioritizing treatment, but a short delay can be considered for patients with favorable T1 disease who are at higher risk of COVID-19 complications. For patients with melanoma, the authors recommend delaying the treatment of patients with T0 to T1 disease for 3 months if there is no macroscopic residual disease at the time of biopsy. Treatment of tumors ≥T2 can be delayed for 3 months if the biopsy margins are negative. For patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, those with Brigham and Women's Hospital T1 to T2a disease can have their treatment delayed for 2 to 3 months unless there is rapid growth, symptomatic lesions, or the patient is immunocompromised. The treatment of tumors ≥T2b should be prioritized, but a 1-month to 2-month delay is unlikely to worsen disease-specific mortality. For patients with squamous cell carcinoma in situ and basal cell carcinoma, treatment can be deferred for 3 months unless the individual is highly symptomatic.

Subungual Hematoma with Feline Resemblance.

A 54-year-old woman was found to have an incidental pigmented lesion on her right thumbnail. Interestingly, this lesion was in the shape of a cat and she also had a cat tattoo. We briefly review how coincidences have been known to occur in dermatology. We also highlight how dermoscopy can aid in differentiating pigmented lesions from trauma-induced changes.

Use of Extranasal Bilobed Transposition Flaps in Cutaneous Reconstructive Surgery at 2 Institutions.

BACKGROUND: Bilobed transposition flaps are versatile random pattern flaps used in nasal and extranasal reconstruction as they preserve free margins, access distal tissue reservoirs, and reliably repair dynamic defects. OBJECTIVE: We highlight the utility of extranasal bilobed flaps to encourage surgeons to consider these flaps for Mohs micrographic surgery defects. METHODS: A two-institution retrospective chart review of patients reconstructed using an extranasal bilobed flap after Mohs micrographic surgery was performed. A validated scar scale was applied to postoperative photographs. Statistical analyses of the patient and surgery characteristics including patient co-morbidities, anatomic distribution, flap dimensions, and postprocedural events, including revisions, were conducted. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were identified. Site-specific flap dimensions were obtained with the cheek/lower eyelid requiring greater tissue mobilization with a higher final to primary defect ratio when compared with other sites. Postoperative events (complications, erythema, flap fullness, dehiscence, infection, etc.) were minimal. No major complications were noted. Nine cases of flap fullness or swelling were identified. Neither flap fullness nor dehiscence compromised flap integrity or cosmetic outcome. Independent flap cosmetic outcome review was good using a validated photographic scar scale. CONCLUSION: Bilobed transposition flaps are versatile repairs for extranasal reconstruction with a favorable safety and outcome profile.

Rhombic Flap: A Useful Flap for Small-to-Medium Defects of the Medial Canthus.

BACKGROUND: Medial canthal defects are frequently encountered yet present specific challenges for the reconstructive surgeon. Surgical repair in this area may inadvertently lead to canthal webbing, ectropion, and/or epiphora. The rhombic flap is a versatile workhorse in the reconstructive armamentarium for canthal defects. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of the inferiorly based rhombic flap for reconstructing defects on the medial canthus. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the Mohs micrographic surgery cases was performed. All cases in which an inferiorly based rhombic flap was used for canthal reconstruction between 2012 and 2017 were identified. Defect size, location, and any postoperative complications were noted. Surgical scars were scored using the Vancouver Scar Scale. RESULTS: There were 34 cases (17 men and 17 women). Age ranged from 38 to 86 (mean 69). Defect size varied from 0.6 to 2.1 cm in diameter. Postoperative complications were uncommon and minor. CONCLUSION: The rhombic flap is a versatile and useful option for reconstructing surgical defects of the medial canthus.