Intraoperative onychoscopy and histopathological correlation of red lunula in nail lichen planus: a case series

Intra-operative dermoscopy (onychoscopy) of the nail unit-A systematic review

Dermoscopy of the nail unit (onychoscopy) is a method which allows for non-invasive observation of the nail structures, increasing the accuracy of clinical diagnosis. Currently, it is used in evaluation of both inflammatory and neoplastic conditions of the nail unit. However, in contrast to the skin, the anatomy of the nail unit prevents direct observation of nail bed or nail matrix structure during classic onychoscopy. Intra-operative onychoscopy is a variant of the technique which uses direct visualization of the nail unit structures after nail plate avulsion. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the current state of knowledge on intra-operative onychoscopy. The MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were systematically searched in January 2024. All types of study designs assessing intra-operative dermoscopy of the nail unit were included in this study. The risk of bias in included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. The qualitative synthesis of 19 studies totalling a number of 218 cases in 217 patients included the following entities: melanoma, nevus, hypermelanosis (melanocytic activation), melanocytic hyperplasia, melanophages accumulation, squamous cell carcinoma, glomus tumour, lichen planus, onychomatricoma, onychomycosis and subungual exostosis. The main limitation of the study was a relatively low number of identified studies, most with low levels of evidence. Intra-operative onychoscopy does not replace histologic examination, though it may be useful in determining the modality of surgical diagnostic procedures.

Dermoscopic Nail Changes in Psoriasis, Lichen Planus, and Lichen Striatus

Background

Onychoscopy is a noninvasive method helpful in diagnosing nail disorders. The aim of the study was to review literature on the usability of onychoscopy in nail psoriasis, nail lichen planus, and nail lichen striatus.

Summary

Onychoscopic features of nail psoriasis are pitting, onycholysis with erythematous border, salmon patches, splinter hemorrhages, dotted vessels in lateral and proximal folds, and hyponychium. Onychoscopic features of nail lichen planus are onychorrhexis, onycholysis, longitudinal melanonychia, and red lunula. The literature on the usability of onychoscopy in nail lichen striatus is scarce.

Keynotes

Onychoscopy facilitates evaluation of nail abnormalities compared to the clinical examination. Lunular alterations, salmon patches, erythematous border of onycholysis as well as splinter hemorrhages in nail psoriasis are better visualized with onychoscopy compared to the naked eye. Onychoscopy enhances detection of melanonychia, dyschromia, and lunular changes in nail lichen planus. Onychoscopic features are different in fingernails and toenails.

Dermoscopic Features of Nail Psoriasis: Revisited

Introduction

Nail psoriasis poses a diagnostic challenge in a context of clinical findings that are not evident. We aimed at exploring dermoscopic findings of nail psoriasis and assessing the relationship between these features with disease severity and the risk of arthritis.

Methods

We enrolled 35 patients (26 men, 9 women) with severe nail psoriasis (Nail Psoriasis Severity Index [NAPSI] score of more than 50). A complete clinical evaluation, including musculoskeletal assessment and videodermoscopic examination of all nails, was carried out for each patient.

Results

Splinter haemorrhage was the most common finding (94.3%), followed by distal onycholysis (88.6%) and pitting (74.3%). The presence of subungual hyperkeratosis (SUH) and the absence of mottled lunula were associated with disease severity (p < 0.05). Both SUH and nail plate crumbling (NPC) were observed more in patients with arthritis. The presence of a combination of SUH and NPC was associated to a 15-fold increase in the risk of arthritis (%95 confidence intervals: 1.55-145.2, p < 0.05).

Discussion/Conclusion

This study presents preliminary evidence for the use of dermoscopy as a first step in the diagnosis of nail psoriasis. Dermoscopy is an indispensable tool in the primary evaluation of patients with nail psoriasis, which provides predictive information about the course of the disease.

Description of the most severe signs in nail lichen planus: a strategy to contribute to the diagnosis of the severe stage

BACKGROUND

Severe nail lichen planus (NLP) does not respond well to treatment and is often poorly considered and described in detail.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to describe the characteristics of severe NLP.

METHODS

A retrospective data analysis was performed, including the photographic records of the most compromised nails of patients with NLP over 18 years old, who consulted between 2009 and 2019 at the Instituto de Dermatologia Professor Rubem David Azulay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Descriptive and statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test was performed to verify the hypothesis of independence between characteristics (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

A total of 102 patients were included. Anonychia was associated with severe thinning of the nail plate, retraction of the nail bed or nail plate, residual nail plate, loss of proximal nail fold limits, and onychoatrophy. Dorsal pterygium was associated with loss of proximal nail fold limits, onychoatrophy, and distal splitting greater than 50%.

CONCLUSION

We provide descriptions of the most severe signs in order to facilitate the clinical diagnosis when a biopsy is not feasible and suggest an update of current NLP classifications.