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J Am Acad Dermatol 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Department of Dermatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York. Electronic address:

Background: Longitudinal melanonychia (LM) is a common finding in clinical practice; however, it has a broad differential diagnosis, including subungual melanoma (SUM), which can be difficult to distinguish clinically from benign conditions.

Objective: To identify clinical and dermoscopic features that distinguish histopathologically diagnosed SUM from benign LM and to evaluate the validity of the ABCDEF criteria among patients on whom a biopsy was performed.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients who underwent nail matrix biopsy for LM at a single center from January 2011 to November 2017. Read More

Skin Appendage Disord 2018 Nov 3;5(1):20-26. Epub 2018 Jul 3.

Department of Dermatology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Nail apparatus melanoma (NAM) is rare. The higher mortality reported in the literature is most likely due to advanced disease associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Objective: All patients diagnosed with NAM were followed at a single reference center during a period of 10 years, with emphasis on dermatological and histological findings. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2019 Jan 4. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Department of Dermatology, St George's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Longitudinal melanonychia is a pigmented longitudinal band on the nail plate and may occur due to melanocyte activation, nail matrix nevus, lentigo or subungual melanoma. In a racially diverse community, melanonychia is a relatively common presenting complaint. However, despite this, little is known about the incidence of melanoma in longitudinal melanonychia, as well as variations in management approaches. Read More

J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2019 Jan 28;17(1):85-86. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Dermatology Unit, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.

Pediatr Dermatol 2019 Jan 12;36(1):e60-e61. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Transverse melanonychia is a rare finding often secondary to chemotherapy, orally ingested medications, or other iatrogenic interventions. A 19-month-old boy with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis treated with biweekly etoposide and dexamethasone developed transverse bands of pigment in all toenail and fingernail units consistent with transverse melanonychia. We review the literature for reported cases of transverse melanonychia and summarize suspected etiologies. Read More

Ugeskr Laeger 2018 Dec;180(50)

Melanonychia is seen, when melanin is incorporated in the nail, which gives a band of dark discolouration of the nail. Nail discolouration is a common cause for patients to seek medical attention, and it is often benign. Melanonychia can be seen due to melanocytic proliferation (ungual naevi), benign hyperplasia (lentigo) and hypermelanosis (infections, traumas). Read More

JAAD Case Rep 2018 Nov 16;4(10):1083-1085. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor, Dermatology Residency Program, Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Dermatol Pract Concept 2018 Oct 31;8(4):283-291. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Postgraduate Department of Dermatology, STD & Leprosy, Government Medical College, Srinagar, University of Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir, India.

Background: Nail disorders comprise approximately 10% of all dermatological conditions. Because diagnosis is not always possible by clinical means alone, additional diagnostic procedures may be required at times. Dermoscopy of nails (onychoscopy) has shown promising results in diagnosing various nail disorders and also avoids time-consuming investigations such as culture and biopsy. Read More

MMW Fortschr Med 2018 11;160(20):48-52

Hautzentrum Nymphenburg, Renatastraße 72, D-80639, München, Deutschland.

Lupus 2018 Nov 14:961203318812685. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Dermatology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial agent, most commonly prescribed in the treatment of several rheumatic diseases. Although generally well tolerated, a variety of mucocutaneous adverse effects have been reported. Besides the familiar adverse effects, longitudinal melanonychia is rarely seen. Read More

Skin Appendage Disord 2018 Oct 3;4(4):312-314. Epub 2018 Jan 3.

Department of Dermatology, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.

Chikungunya (CHK) fever is a re-emerging RNA viral infection caused by the bite of infected mosquitoes which presents with a multitude of mucocutaneous manifestations, including a characteristic morbilliform rash, centrofacial pigmentation, aphthae-like lesions, and vesiculobullous lesions sparing mucosae. The majority of these lesions resolve spontaneously and do not require specific therapy. With regular and cyclical outbreaks in many countries for many decades, it is obligatory for dermatologists to be aware of the different skin lesions in the wake of early diagnosis and the need for conservative management. Read More

Am J Dermatopathol 2018 Nov;40(11):793-804

Faculty in Dermatopathology, Department of Dermatology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Pigmented lesions of the nail unit are commonly encountered in the clinical setting. Yet, they often present a unique challenge to clinicians because of a broad differential diagnosis or unfamiliarity with clinical and histopathologic features. A wide variety of causes exist ranging from benign lesions such as subungual hemorrhage to malignant lesions such as subungual melanoma. Read More

World J Clin Cases 2018 Sep;6(10):322-334

Department of Oral Medicine, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.

Labial and oral melanotic macules are commonly encountered in a broad range of conditions ranging from physiologic pigmentation to a sign of an underlying life-threatening disease. Although Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) shares some features of labial and oral pigmentation with a variety of conditions, it is a benign and acquired condition, frequently associated with longitudinal melanonychia. Herein, the demographic, clinical, dermoscopic, and pathological aspects of LHS were reviewed comprehensively. Read More

Dermatol Clin 2018 Oct;36(4):431-438

Department of Specialised Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Dermatology, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

Onychoscopy is the examination of the nail unit using a dermoscope. The dermoscopic criteria for a valid diagnosis have been developed and assessed in numerous papers. However, in all nail alterations that are suspicious or potentially malignant, a surgical intervention with subsequent histopathological evaluation should be performed. Read More

Aten Primaria 2018 Aug 28. Epub 2018 Aug 28.

Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Santos Reyes, Aranda de Duero, Burgos, España.

JAMA Dermatol 2018 Dec;154(12):1473-1474

Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

J Dermatol 2018 Aug 20. Epub 2018 Aug 20.

Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.

Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep 2018 26;2018. Epub 2018 Jul 26.

Departments of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is a rare, benign and acquired disorder characterized by hyperpigmentation of the oral cavity and lips along with longitudinal melanonychia. No underlying systemic abnormalities or malignant predisposition is associated with it. In everyday clinical practice, an endocrinologist encounters certain endocrine conditions (e. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2018 Nov 3;109(9):801-806. Epub 2018 Aug 3.

Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España.

Introduction And Objectives: Subungual melanoma constitutes a diagnostic challenge because it often has an atypical clinical presentation. The aims of this study were to revise the clinical and pathologic characteristics of patients with subungual melanoma diagnosed at a tertiary care university hospital and analyze the factors potentially associated with a delayed diagnosis.

Material And Methods: We analyzed data for 34 patients diagnosed with subungual melanoma at our hospital over a period of 20 years. Read More

Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2018 Jun 18;35(3):251-258. Epub 2018 Jun 18.

Department of Dermatology, Ankara Numune Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Introduction: Over the years, clinical studies have provided new knowledge about the dermoscopic features of the diseases of cutaneous annexes. It seems that dermoscopy has opened a new morphological dimension in the diagnosis and management of hair disorders and onychopathies.

Aim: To identify and describe dermoscopic features of onychomycosis. Read More

QJM 2018 Dec;111(12):909

Department of Internal Medicine, Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Eur J Dermatol 2018 Jun;28(3):400-401

Department of Dermatology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.

Eur J Dermatol 2018 Aug;28(4):559-561

Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.

Plast Reconstr Surg 2018 08;142(2):439-445

Boston, Mass. From the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and the Division of Plastic Surgery, Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School.

Background: Melanonychia of the digit is uncommon in the Caucasian population and is concerning because of potential malignant transformation. Several histologic changes occur before malignant transformation, including melanocytic atypia. The authors evaluated patients with melanonychia with melanocytic hyperplasia to determine the risk factors for malignant transformation. Read More

JAMA Dermatol 2018 Aug;154(8):890-896

Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Importance: Subungual melanoma in situ (SMIS) is a malignant neoplasm that requires early diagnosis and complete surgical excision; however, little is known about the usefulness of the detailed dermoscopic features of longitudinal melanonychia (LM) to predict the diagnosis of SMIS.

Objectives: To investigate the characteristic dermoscopic findings of SMIS and to establish a predictive scoring model for the diagnosis of SMIS in patients with adult-onset LM affecting a single digit.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A cohort study of 19 patients with biopsy-proven SMIS and 26 patients with benign LM diagnosed in a tertiary referral hospital in Seoul, South Korea, from September 1, 2013, to July 31, 2017. Read More

Dermatol Online J 2018 Apr 15;24(4). Epub 2018 Apr 15.

Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.

5-fluorouracil, a fluoropyrimidine antineoplastic drug, is used to topically treat actinic keratoses. Local skin reactions to the medication are common and anticipated. However, severe adverse events from topical 5-fluorouracil are rare and unexpected. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2018 Dec 27;32(12):2300-2306. Epub 2018 Jun 27.

Dermatology Department, Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital, Paris, France.

Background: Nail unit melanoma (NUM) is a rare melanoma variant, usually associated with a poor prognosis because of a delayed diagnosis. Few data are available concerning the management and long-term outcome of in situ NUM.

Objective: To use a large cohort to provide comprehensive patient data and long-term follow-up information. Read More

Cutis 2018 May;101(5):375-377

Department of Dermatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, and the Department of Dermatology, Rush University, Chicago, USA.

We report the case of a 62-year-old black man who was on a maintenance immunosuppressive regimen that included mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporine following renal transplantation 9 years prior. He presented to the dermatology department for evaluation of a pigmented longitudinal streak on the left third finger adjacent to the lateral nail fold that had been present for several months. He noted that the streak was increasing in size, and his fingertip had recently become tender. Read More

J Drugs Dermatol 2018 May;17(5):587-588

The nail matrix biopsy is an important technique in confirming or excluding a diagnosis of melanoma in a patient with longitudinal melanonychia. Dermatologists are the first-line diagnosticians for these pigmented lesions of the nail unit, however, for different reasons, some are reluctant to perform a nail biopsy. This case demonstrates how a poor biopsy technique resulted in a misdiagnosis in a patient with melanoma in situ. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2018 Dec 29;32(12):e462-e463. Epub 2018 May 29.

Department of Dermatology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2018 Sep 7;32(9):1608-1613. Epub 2018 Jun 7.

Dermatology Department, Cancer Institute, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.

Background: Benign subungual proliferation of the distal nail matrix and bed such as longitudinal keratosis, seborrhoeic keratosis or onychocytic matricoma should belong to a single spectrum of diseases.

Objective: This article intends to demonstrate clinically and histologically the different facets of Nail unit longitudinal acanthoma.

Methods: We report three new cases that present as a longitudinal melanonychia with thickening of the nail plate in two of them and as leukoxanthonychia in the third one. Read More

Case Rep Dermatol Med 2018 30;2018:3230582. Epub 2018 Jan 30.

Department of Dermatology, Suleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey.

Onychophagia, which refers to compulsive nail-biting behavior, is common among children and young adults. Onychophagia can cause destruction to the cuticle and nail plate, leading to shortening of nails, chronic paronychia, and secondary infections. Relatively uncommon effects include pigmentary changes, such as longitudinal melanonychia and splinter hemorrhages. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Oct 14;79(4):702-705. Epub 2018 Apr 14.

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.

Background: Onychotillomania is a nail-picking disorder characterized by nail dystrophy and abnormal morphology of the nail plate, nail bed, and periungual skin.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the dermoscopic features of onychotillomania.

Methods: A retrospective study of the dermoscopy images of 36 patients affected by onychotillomania. Read More

F1000Res 2018 6;7:284. Epub 2018 Mar 6.

Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia.

Dermoscopy, a non-invasive technique for cutaneous diagnosis is being increasingly studied in various disorders of the skin, nails and scalp. However, it has been under-utilized for the diagnosis and characterization of mucosal disorders. The dermoscopic characterization of cutaneous lichen planus and its variants has been well documented with Wickham's striae constituting the hallmark of the condition. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Aug 27;79(2):327-336.e2. Epub 2018 Mar 27.

Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Electronic address:

Background: Most subungual melanocytic lesions in children are benign, but some are difficult to classify due to prominent lentiginous growth and high-grade cytologic atypia.

Objective: To characterize the clinicopathologic features of these rare lesions.

Methods: Subungual atypical lentiginous melanocytic proliferations from patients <20 years of age were collected for clinical and histopathologic review. Read More

Dermatology 2017 19;233(6):446-455. Epub 2018 Mar 19.

Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.

Background: Longitudinal melanonychia (LM) may occur as a result of nail apparatus melanoma. Knowledge of etiology plays an important role in the management of LM.

Objectives: The study is aimed to compare the diagnosis of LM in different age groups. Read More

Indian J Dermatol 2018 Jan-Feb;63(1):41-46

Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, S. P. Medical College, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.

Background: The diagnosis of cutaneous adversities in the cancer patient is especially difficult, given the complexity of their illness and combination protocols used for the treatment. The present study was undertaken to know the spectrum of cutaneous adversities in patients undergoing chemotherapy and the drug(s) most commonly associated with it.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1000 patients with malignancies under chemotherapy in the oncology ward and outpatient department were screened in this observational study from January 2013 to February 2015. Read More

Dermatol Online J 2017 Jul 15;23(7). Epub 2017 Jul 15.

New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York.

Pigmentation of the nail plate, or melanonychia, is typically a benign condition caused by melanocyte activation. Although rare, melanonychia may be the initial presentation of melanoma, thus all cases require an in-depth examination. Evaluation in pediatric patients can prove especially difficult as benign cases have a higher prevalence of atypia compared to adults. Read More

Ann Dermatol 2018 Feb 26;30(1):36-40. Epub 2017 Dec 26.

Department of Dermatology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Prevalence of subungual melanoma (SUM) in Asian population is relatively high and early clinical detection improves both quality of life and survival.

Objective: We sought to establish screening strategy for SUM .

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 8 patients pathologically diagnosed as SUM between January 2015 and September 2016. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Aug 12;79(2):375-377. Epub 2018 Jan 12.

Department of Dermatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan.

Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat 2017 Dec;26(4):119-120

Department of Dermatology, University Medical Centre, Maribor, Slovenia.

Congenital longitudinal melanonychia is rarely seen in Caucasians and poses a diagnostic dilemma. It is characterized by the presence of hyperpigmented brown or black streaks visible in the nail plate. We present the case of 20-month-old boy with congenital longitudinal melanonychia, the diagnostic procedure, and management. Read More

J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg 2018 Apr 12;119(2):158-160. Epub 2017 Dec 12.

Department of Oral Medicine, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 210008 Nanjing, China. Electronic address:

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is a rare, benign, acquired pigmentary condition mainly affecting lips, oral mucosa and acral area, frequently associated with longitudinal melanonychia. Herein, we reported a 45-year-old female case with LHS. The clinical, dermoscopic, histopathologic features of LHS were reviewed and the important differential diagnosis was discussed. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 05 5;78(5):e97-e98. Epub 2017 Dec 5.

Dermatology Unit, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2017 Nov 30. Epub 2017 Nov 30.

Unit of Dermatology and Cosmetology, IRCCS University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.

Dermatol Surg 2018 May;44(5):651-660

Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Background: Nail matrix histopathological examination is essential to diagnose longitudinal melanonychia (LM). Several methods for nail matrix biopsy have been introduced but are often difficult to perform because of their invasiveness and technical difficulty. Therefore, a less invasive and novel biopsy technique is needed. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 03 26;78(3):479-489. Epub 2017 Oct 26.

Department of Dermatology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Background: Clinical distinction between nail matrix nevus (NMN) and subungual melanoma (SUM) can be challenging. More precise delineation of the clinicodermoscopic characteristics specific for NMNs is needed.

Objective: We sought to analyze the clinicopathologic features of childhood and adult NMNs and to propose clinicodermoscopic features that can aid in differentiating NMNs from SUM. Read More

Clin Exp Dermatol 2018 Jan 13;43(1):75-76. Epub 2017 Oct 13.

Department of Dermatology, Division of Dermatology of Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo University, School of Medicine, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

J Am Acad Dermatol 2017 11;77(5):e133-e134

Dermatology Department, Hospital do Servidor Público Municipal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Pediatr Dermatol 2017 Nov 2;34(6):e321-e323. Epub 2017 Oct 2.

Department of Dermatology, Maastricht Universitair Medisch Centrum, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

A 2-year-old Caucasian boy with melanonychia striata with multiple striking pits on the nail plate of one fingernail is described. Nail disorders often pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for clinicians, especially melanonychia striata, because of the fear of a subungual melanoma. Only a few childhood cases of melanonychia striata have been described, and the multiple pits are even less common. Read More

Ann Dermatol 2017 Oct 25;29(5):653-654. Epub 2017 Aug 25.

Department of Dermatology, Ilsan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Goyang, Korea.