Yellow nail syndrome presenting as non-immune hydrops: Second case report

Yellow Nail Syndrome or Diffuse Lymphatic Network Disease

We report a man aged 68 years old with pneumothorax and chronic bilateral pleural effusion in association with a history of yellow nails. The diagnosis of yellow nail syndrome based on yellow nails, lymphedema, chronic pleural effusion and intestinal lymphangiectasia.

A Case-Control Study of the Lymphatic Phenotype of Yellow Nail Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is a rare disease manifesting as a triad of yellow-green dystrophic nails, lymphedema, and chronic respiratory disease. The etiology of YNS is obscure and investigations are few. A single lymphatic pathogenesis has been proposed to account for all the associated features, and despite the lack of evidence for a unifying lymphatic mechanism, this hypothesis prevails. The objective was to explore the lymphatic phenotype in YNS and to establish whether lymphatic dysfunction could be a major contributing factor to the disease process.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Four-limb lymphoscintigraphy was performed on patients with YNS and on healthy, age-matched controls. All 17 patients had lower limb swelling, and 14 (82%) had upper limb swelling also, including 5 (29%) with hand involvement. None of the YNS lymph scans was completely normal. Combined qualitative and quantitative assessment showed that 67% of YNS scans were clearly abnormal compared with 36% of healthy control scans. Mean axillary and ilio-inguinal nodal tracer uptakes were 41%-44% lower in the YNS group than in the controls (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

YNS is a lymphatic phenotype because lymphatic insufficiency was found to exist in all patients and the insufficiency was widespread (upper and lower limbs), with a common mechanistic fault of poor transport. The origin of the lymphatic fault is unclear. In healthy individuals, lymphatic abnormalities may be relatively common in the fifth decade of life onward.

Cystic Hygroma: A Preliminary Genetic Study and a Short Review from the Literature

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study is to examine the hypothesis that cystic hygroma (CH) with normal karyotype can manifest as a Mendelian inherited trait, and that a genetic similitude with hereditary lymphedema exists. To reach this goal, we investigated the prevalence of genetic variants in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis genes in a cohort of euploid fetuses with CH that almost resolved before delivery. A short review of cases from literature is also reported.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Five fetuses were screened using a next-generation sequencing approach by targeting 33 genes known to be associated with vascular and lymphatic malformations. The genetic evaluation revealed two novel variants in KDR and KRIT1 genes.

CONCLUSION

A review of the literature to date revealed that an association exists between CH and hereditary lymphedema and, similar to lymphedema, CH can be inherited in autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant manner, with the latter most likely associated with a better prognosis. About KDR and KRIT1 genes, no other similar associations are reported in the literature and caution is needed in their interpretation. In conclusion, we thought that a genetic test for the outcome of familial CH could be of enormous prognostic value.

Yellow nail syndrome: a review

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS; OMIM 153300, ORPHA662) is a very rare disorder that almost always occurs after 50 years of age but a juvenile or familial form has also been observed. YNS is diagnosed based on a triad associating yellow nail discoloration, pulmonary manifestations (chronic cough, bronchiectasia, pleural effusion) and lower limb lymphedema. Chronic sinusitis is frequently associated with the triad. YNS etiology remains unknown but a role of lymphatic impairment is usually evoked. YNS is more frequently isolated but may be associated in rare cases with autoimmune diseases, other clinical manifestations implicating lymphatic functions or cancer and, hence, is also considered a paraneoplastic syndrome. YNS management is symptomatic and not codified. YNS can resolve spontaneously. Oral vitamin E alone or even better when associated with triazole antifungals may achieve partial or total disappearance of nail discoloration. Pleural effusion can be treated surgically, with decortication/pleurectomy or pleurodesis. Antibiotic prophylaxis is prescribed for bronchiectasia with chronic sputum production. Lymphedema treatment is based on low-stretch bandages and the wearing of elastic compression garments combined with skin care, exercises and, as needed, manual lymph drainage.

Titanium Dioxide in Toothpaste Causing Yellow Nail Syndrome

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is an uncommon disorder, the classic triad of which consists of yellow nails, lymphedema, and respiratory symptoms. Few pediatric cases have been reported. We report a 9-year-old girl with yellowish nail discoloration for 1 year accompanied by respiratory symptoms, including chronic cough, recurrent pneumonia, bronchiectasis, and chronic sinusitis. The patient was diagnosed with YNS. Knowing that a relationship between YNS and titanium has been reported, we collected her nail clippings and detected titanium in them by energy dispersive radiograph fluorescence. This patient's titanium exposure may have come from her habit of swallowing children's toothpaste. With meticulous avoidance of swallowing toothpaste, she had amelioration of her yellow nail discoloration as well as diminution of her respiratory symptoms. We reevaluated her nail clippings for titanium 3 years later, and no titanium was detected. This observation suggests that avoiding titanium exposure could alleviate the symptoms of YNS. This is the first report of YNS in a pediatric patient that demonstrates a relationship between YNS and titanium. We review the previous reports of pediatric patients with YNS.

Nonmalignant Adult Thoracic Lymphatic Disorders

The thoracic lymphatic disorders are a heterogeneous group of uncommon conditions that are associated with thoracic masses, interstitial pulmonary infiltrates, and chylous complications. Accurate diagnosis of the thoracic lymphatic disorders has important implications for the newest approaches to management, including embolization and treatment with antilymphangiogenic drugs. New imaging techniques to characterize lymphatic flow, such as dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance lymphangiogram, are redefining approaches to disease classification and therapy.

[Yellow nail syndrome: two pediatric case reports]

BACKGROUND

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is a combination of specific nail dystrophy (yellowish or green nails, transverse ridging, increased curvature with "a hump" and distal onycholysis), lymphoedema and respiratory tract involvement (mainly bronchial hyper-responsiveness, recurrent pneumonia, bronchiectasis and pleural effusion), with or without sinusitis. This rare condition is most often seen in middle age. We report two pediatric cases.

PATIENTS

A 9-year-old boy had 20 yellow nails and lymphedema of the lower and upper left limbs. He was born at 32 weeks of gestation. At birth, he had fetal hydrops with bilateral chylothorax. Since then, he presented bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In his first year of life, he had recurrent nasopharyngitis and serosal otitis. Lymphoscintigraphy was not performed. A 14-year-old boy had 10 yellow toenails and 2 yellow fingernails. He was born at 36 weeks of gestation with fetal hydrops. He had recurrent serosal otitis and asthma attacks. Lymphoscintigraphy showed lymphatic hypoplasia, especially of the left limbs.

DISCUSSION

These two children have the classic triad of YNS, including yellow nails, lymphedema and respiratory tract involvement. Thirteen cases have been reported in children from birth to 10 years of age, three of whom were siblings, thus suggesting genetic predisposition. In most cases lymphoscintigraphy showed hypoplasia and/or ectasia of lymphatic vessels. These lymphatic abnormalities may be responsible for nail changes as seen in Turner's syndrome. The prognosis of YNS in adults may be serious because of the pulmonary tract involvement. However, it is not known in children.

CONCLUSION

Yellow dystrophic nails in children may be associated with lymphedema and respiratory tract involvement, as in adults, and this condition should therefore be investigated in cases of YNS.

Characteristics of patients with yellow nail syndrome and pleural effusion

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) can be associated with a pleural effusion (PE) but the characteristics of these patients are not well defined. We performed a systematic review across four electronic databases for studies reporting clinical findings, PE characteristics, and most effective treatment of YNS. Case descriptions and retrospective studies were included, unrestricted by year of publication. We reviewed 112 studies (150 patients), spanning a period of nearly 50 years. The male/female ratio was 1.2/1. The median age was 60 years (range: 0-88). Seventy-eight percent were between 41-80 years old. All cases had lymphoedema and 85.6% had yellow nails. PEs were bilateral in 68.3%. The appearance of the fluid was serous in 75.3%, milky in 22.3% and purulent in 3.5%. The PE was an exudate in 94.7% with lymphocytic predominance in 96% with a low count of nucleated cells. In 61 of 66 (92.4%) of patients, pleural fluid protein values were >3 g/dL, and typically higher than pleural fluid LDH. Pleurodesis and decortication/pleurectomy were effective in 81.8% and 88.9% of cases, respectively, in the treatment of symptomatic PEs. The development of YNS and PE occurs between the fifth to eighth decade of life and is associated with lymphoedema. The PE is usually bilateral and behaves as a lymphocyte-predominant exudate. The most effective treatments appear to be pleurodesis and decortication/pleurectomy.

Chylothorax in infants and children

Chylothorax, the accumulation of chyle in the pleural space, is a relatively rare cause of pleural effusion in children. It can cause significant respiratory morbidity, as well as lead to malnutrition and immunodeficiency. Thus, a chylothorax requires timely diagnosis and treatment. This review will first discuss the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system and discuss various causes that can lead to development of a chylothorax in infants and children. Then, methods of diagnosis and treatment will be reviewed. Finally, complications of chylothorax will be reviewed.

Nail disorders as signs of pediatric systemic disease

Herein, we describe some of the more common changes in the nail unit that can be seen in systemic diseases in children. Changes that can be seen are not limited to those discussed in the following pages. The presence of changes on multiple nails is suggestive of a systemic cause in an ill child. However, multiple nails can also be affected in primary inflammatory disorders and infections of the nail unit. When evaluating a pediatric patient with a nail disorder, it is important to perform a complete physical examination of the skin and oral mucosa, as other clues to the diagnosis of the nail problem may be found. A comprehensive family history is also important to uncover possible syndromic associations with nail disease or diseases that can manifest with nail changes.

Congenital yellow nail syndrome: a case report and its relationship to nonimmune fetal hydrops

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is an uncommon disorder characterized by a triad of nail dystrophy, lymphedema, and pleural effusion. It is rare in children and congenital occurrence of YNS has been very rarely described. We report a 2-year-old Arab boy having congenital yellow nail syndrome with mild facial dysmorphism and bilateral conjunctival pigmentation born to consanguineous parents. One of his older siblings had died of nonimmune fetal hydrops (NIFH). The case supports the genetic basis of yellow nail syndrome with a possible relationship to nonimmune fetal hydrops.

Successful living-related liver transplantation in a child with familial yellow nail syndrome and fulminant hepatic failure: report of a case

An 11-yr-old boy with familial YNS and FHF and who underwent LRLT is presented. LRLT was performed from his father with YNS. The findings of hepatic failure resolved immediately after LRLT, but severe respiratory complications and chylous ascites were observed during the follow-up. At 12 months after successful LT, the patient has good graft function, but findings of YNS including chronic cough, lymphedema and yellow nails are still present. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of YNS who underwent LRLT for FHF.

Yellow nail syndrome: not a genetic disorder? Eleven new cases and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is characterized by the triad of characteristic nail changes, chronic respiratory disorders and primary lymphoedema. Over 100 cases have been published, most of which have been sporadic. Despite this, YNS is classified as a dominantly inherited lymphoedema with variable expression. There have been only a few published reports where a positive family history (FH) has been documented in cases of YNS.

OBJECTIVES

To conduct a retrospective survey investigating the genetic basis of YNS.

METHODS

The notes of 11 patients diagnosed with YNS were examined for documentation of a positive FH, and in addition a postal questionnaire was sent to these patients.

RESULTS

Only one of the 11 patients had a relevant FH. In addition, four patients had complete recovery of their nail changes.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first retrospective study of YNS to document clear remission of nail changes. The lack of a positive FH in the majority of patients in our study, the late onset of the disease and recovery of nail changes in our patients suggest that YNS may not be primarily a genetic disease as it is currently classified.

Yellow nail syndrome in three siblings: a randomized double-blind trial of topical vitamin E

Yellow nail syndrome is an uncommon disorder characterized by dystrophic nails, lymphedema, and respiratory disease. It has rarely been reported in children and this is the first report of congenital yellow nails in siblings. The purpose of this study was to determine whether topical vitamin E applied to the nail plates and periungual skin would affect the growth rate or appearance of the fingernails in patients with congenital yellow nail syndrome. This study was the first trial of a treatment for this entity in children and the largest randomized double blind trial to date. We found that vitamin E solution had no significant effect (p = 0.84) on fingernail growth or the global appearance score (p = 1.0) when compared with placebo. The average growth rates and global assessment scores improved and onycholysis and onychomadesis decreased from baseline with both vitamin E and placebo treatment, although these were not primary end points of the study. Topical vitamin E did not result in a statistically significant improvement when compared with oil alone for the treatment of the nails in our three patients with yellow nail syndrome. However, it is interesting and perhaps clinically useful that both vitamin E and placebo oil improved the condition of the nails.

Prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of atypical Nonne-Milroy lymphedema

Nonne-Milroy lymphedema is a relatively rare disorder characterized by firm edema of the lower extremities either on the whole leg or limited to the feet or toes. We report a case of atypical Nonne-Milroy syndrome that presented prenatally with bilateral leg edema, bilateral hydrothorax and lung hypoplasia at 22 weeks' gestation. The differential diagnoses are discussed.