Primary Malignant Tumors of the Nail Unit

Dermatologic Manifestations of the Lower Extremity: Nail Surgery

Nail surgery is a fundamental component of podiatric surgery. Nail disorders are common and may cause significant morbidity and occasionally mortality. Diagnosis of inflammatory and infectious conditions, and of benign or malignant tumors, often requires a biopsy of the nail unit. Excisional surgery may also be curative for certain tumors. This article reviews key elements of nail anatomy, surgical preparation, local anesthesia, and methods to achieve and maintain a bloodless field. A familiarity with these concepts should allow clinicians to develop a surgical plan and approach when patients present with a nail disorder requiring biopsy or surgical treatment.

A Retrospective Study of Nail Squamous Cell Carcinoma at 2 Institutions

BACKGROUND

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nail is infrequently reported in the medical literature and its causes are poorly understood. Studies have shown strong associations with immunosuppression, tobacco use, toxin/radiation exposure, and trauma. Common treatments include Mohs surgery and digital amputation.

OBJECTIVE

Review a series of nail SCCs treated at 2 institutions. Outcomes evaluated included rates of recurrence and disease progression/metastasis after treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of patients treated between 2005 and 2008. Medical record review and phone call follow-up using a standardized questionnaire were used.

RESULTS

Forty-two tumors were identified in 34 patients. Twenty-seven patients were male (79% CI, 62%-91%) and most tumors were located on the fingernails (39/42; 91% CI, 81%-99%). Twenty-four of 39 tumors (62% CI, 45%-77%) were on the nondominant hand. The middle third finger was the most frequent digit affected (16/42). Common symptoms reported were nail dystrophy (31/42; 74% CI, 58%-86%), followed by onycholysis (22/42; 52% CI, 36%-68%). Most tumors (35/42; 83% CI, 69%-93%) were treated with Mohs surgery.

CONCLUSION

Nail SCC is found nearly exclusively in adults and predominantly in men. There are multiple effective treatment possibilities including Mohs surgery, distal digital amputation, and early evidence suggesting radiotherapy.

Comparison of wedge resection (Winograd procedure) and wedge resection plus complete nail plate avulsion in the treatment of ingrown toenails

The present retrospective study compared the efficacy of wedge resection (Winograd procedure) and wedge resection plus complete nail plate avulsion for the treatment of ingrown toenails (onychocryptosis). Two surgical methods were performed in 95 patients with a stage 2 or 3 ingrown toenail. Each patient was examined weekly until healing and then at 1, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. The outcomes measured were surgical duration, healing time, recurrence rate, the incidence of postoperative infection, and cosmetic appearance after surgery. Of the 95 patients (115 ingrown toenails) included in the present study, 39 (41.1%) underwent wedge resection (Winograd procedure) and 56 (59%), wedge resection plus complete nail plate avulsion. The mean surgical duration for wedge resection (Winograd procedure) and wedge resection plus complete nail plate avulsion was 14.9 ± 2.4 minutes and 15.1 ± 3.2 minutes, respectively (p = .73). The corresponding healing times were 2.8 ± 1.2 weeks and 2.7 ± 1.3 weeks (p = .70). Recurrence developed in 3 (3.2%) patients after wedge resection (Winograd procedure) and in 4 (4.2%) after wedge resection plus complete nail plate avulsion. In addition, postoperative infection occurred in 3 (3.2%) patients after wedge resection (Winograd procedure) and 2 (2.1%) after wedge resection plus complete nail plate avulsion. Both of the surgical procedures were practical and appropriate for the treatment of ingrown toenails, being simple and associated with low morbidity and a high success rate. However, cosmetically, wedge resection (Winograd procedure) would be the better choice because the nail plate remains intact.

Nail matrix biopsy of longitudinal melanonychia: Diagnostic algorithm including the matrix shave biopsy

Longitudinal melanonychia (LM) may represent nail matrix melanocyte activation (defined as a normal number of melanocytes with increased production of melanin), benign hyperplasia, or melanoma, in addition to multiple nonmelanocyte pathologies, including hemorrhage and infection. This article details an algorithmic approach to LM, including a careful history and physical examination, dermoscopy, and ability to sample the matrix using 3 biopsy techniques, a 3-mm punch excision, a lateral longitudinal excision, and a matrix shave biopsy. Facility with all 3 techniques will allow the physician to procure appropriate nail matrix specimens for diagnosis.

Multiple calcified subungual epidermoid inclusions

Subungual epidermoid inclusions (also known as subungual onycholemmal cysts) are an uncommon and distinctive nail abnormality occurring in the dermis of the nail bed. Clinically the nail plate may exhibit onychodystrophy, clubbing, ridging, thickening, pigmentation, or appear normal. We report the case of a patient with onychodystrophy of the right halux of 7 years' duration. This case is presented with serial pictures demonstrating the gradual development of nail plate thickening, yellow discoloration, and nail bed hyperkeratosis indicative of the disease. She had negative fungal cultures, poor response to topical and oral antifungal agents, and an initial nondiagnostic superficial biopsy. Repeat full-thickness nail bed biopsy results revealed multiple calcified subungual epidermoid inclusions epidermoid inclusions. Histologic features included characteristic elongation of the rete ridges with cyst formation and pinching off of the connection to the nail bed epithelium, forming free-lying cysts within the dermis of the nail bed. The cysts contained compact onycholemmal keratin and calcification. A granular layer was not present. This case reinforces the need to clinically reassess, possibly x-ray, and perform a sufficient biopsy for persistent undiagnosed nail unit disorders. Subungual calcified inclusions may be an underrecognized and more common entity than currently recognized.