Yellow nail induced by bucillamine

Tips to diagnose uncommon nail disorders

This article reviews 6 nail disorders that, although easy to diagnose, are misdiagnosed frequently by dermatologists and general practitioners. Diagnostic clues are emphasized to familiarize readers with features that indicate the correct diagnosis. We focus on two common tumors (onychomatricoma and onychopapilloma), two rare genetic conditions that can be diagnosed owing to nail changes (Darier disease and nail patella syndrome), and two uncommon acquired disorders (the yellow nail syndrome and lichen striatus).

Role of Titanium in the Development of Yellow Nail Syndrome

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is characterized by the triad of nail changes, lymphedema and respiratory tract involvement. Several hypotheses have been postulated to explain the findings in YNS including lymphatic drainage abnormalities along with microvasculopathy. The most recent hypothesis, proposed by Berglund and Calmark [Biol Trace Elem Res 2011;143:1-7], suggests a role of titanium dioxide in the development of YNS. This study showed elevated titanium levels (ranging from 1.1 to 170 μg/g of nail plate) in nail clippings or pieces of shed nail from 30 patients with YNS. Titanium was not found in the nails of healthy patients. Complete resolution was seen in 4 patients after removal of their titanium implants. Titanium dioxide is commonly found in cosmetics, sunscreens, medications, confectionaries and joint implants. Exposure to titanium can lead to its ions being released by galvanic action of dental gold or amalgam through the oxidative stress of fluorides. It is hypothesized that this galvanic interaction may lead to the yellow discoloration. At this point, cause and effect is speculative, but titanium may play a role in a subgroup of patients with YNS.

Yellow Nail Syndrome and Nail Lichen Planus may be Induced by a Common Culprit. Focus on Dental Restorative Substances

Different clinical appearances such as Yellow nail syndrome and Lichen planus or lichenoid reactions can originate from close or identical etiologies. They may result from dental restorative materials or metal allergy. Interestingly, the nail sometimes returns to its normal condition, months after the withdrawal of the offending agents.

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.

Bucillamine-induced yellow nail in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis: two case reports and a review of 36 reported cases

Yellow nail syndrome is an idiopathic condition characterized by a triad consisting of yellow nail, lymphedema, and pulmonary manifestations. Thiol compounds such as D-penicillamine have been reported to be the major cause of drug-induced yellow nail syndrome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We recently experienced two Japanese cases with RA who developed yellow nail under treatment with bucillamine, a thiol-containing anti-rheumatic drug developed and approved in Japan. We reviewed the literature for similar cases and identified 36 RA cases with bucillamine-induced yellow nail, mostly in Japanese medical journals. Most of these cases (90.3%) showed improvement of yellow nail after discontinuation of bucillamine, whereas lymphedema and pulmonary manifestations improved only in 30.8 and 35.0% of the patients, respectively.

Titanium, sinusitis, and the yellow nail syndrome

Yellow nail syndrome is characterized by nail changes, respiratory disorders, and lymphedema. In a yellow nail patient with a skeletal titanium implant and with gold in her teeth, we found high levels of titanium in nail clippings. This study aims to examine the possible role of titanium in the genesis of the yellow nail syndrome. Nail clippings from patients with one or more features of the yellow nail syndrome were analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Titanium was regularly found in finger nails in patients but not in control subjects. Visible nail changes were present in only half of the patients. Sinusitis with postnasal drip and cough was the most common complaint. The dominant source of titanium ions was titanium implants in the teeth or elsewhere. The titanium ions were released through the galvanic action of dental gold or amalgam or through the oxidative action of fluorides. In other patients the titanium was derived from titanium dioxide in drugs and confectionary. Stopping galvanic release of titanium ions or canceling exposure to titanium dioxide led to recovery. In one patient with a titanium implant, the symptoms recurred after renewed exposure to titanium. Yellow nail syndrome is caused by titanium.

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.