Yellow Nail Syndrome: Analysis of 23 Consecutive Patients and Effect of Combined Fluconazole-Vitamin-E Treatment

INTRODUCTION

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS), a very rare disorder of unknown etiology, is characterized by a triad associating yellow nails, respiratory manifestations, and lymphedema. YNS treatment remains non-codified.

METHOD

This retrospective study was conducted from January 2008 to December 2022 in a single tertiary department exclusively dedicated to lymphatic diseases. All consecutive patients with YNS were included.

RESULTS

Thirteen men and 10 women were included. Three patients had yellow nails at birth or during childhood. For the other 20 patients, median (Q1-Q3) age at first sign was 50.8 (43-61) years, with first-YNS-sign-to-diagnosis interval of 17 (10-56) months. For 4 patients, YNS was associated with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia. The first YNS sign was chronic cough (45.5%), followed by yellow nails (27.3%), chronic sinusitis (18.2%), and lymphedema (9.1%). At first consultation for all patients, 69.6% had the complete triad, all had yellow nails and cough, 82.6% had chronic sinusitis, and 69.6% had lymphedema. Twelve patients' lymphedema involved only the lower limb(s), 2 the lower and upper limbs, and 2 the lower and upper limbs and face. Nineteen (82.6%) patients were prescribed fluconazole (100 mg/day [n = 8] or 300 mg/week [n = 11]) combined with vitamin E (1,000 mg/day) for a median of 13 months. Responses were complete for 4 (21.1%) patients, partial for 8 (42.1%), and therapeutic failures for 7 (36.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

YNS is a rare disease that almost always starts with a chronic cough. Despite inconstant efficacy, fluconazole-vitamin E in combination can be prescribed to treat yellow nails.

[Unexpected diagnosis after abnormal ecg]

A 60-year-old man was referred to the outpatient clinic due to dyspnea of effort and productive coughing and rhinorrhea. Physical examination revealed swollen ankles and yellow, hyperkeratotic nails. HRCT showed bronchiectasis. This triad of symptoms indicates yellow nail syndrome. Vitamin E improved the yellow nails, while optimal expiration techniques alleviated respiratory symptoms.

[A man with yellow nails]

A 60-year-old man was referred to the outpatient clinic due to dyspnea of effort and productive coughing and rhinorrhea. Physical examination revealed swollen ankles and yellow, hyperkeratotic nails. HRCT showed bronchiectasis. This triad of symptoms indicates yellow nail syndrome. Vitamin E improved the yellow nails, while optimal expiration techniques alleviated respiratory symptoms.

Yellow Nail Syndrome in Which Intranodal Lymphangiography Contributed to the Diagnosis

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is a rare disease comprising the clinical triad of yellow nail discoloration, pleural effusion, and lower limb lymphedema. We encountered a difficult-to-treat case of YNS in which the diagnosis was finally made based on intranodal lymphangiography. An 84-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with pleural effusion and yellow-green discoloration of the nails, accompanied by onychomycosis and limb lymphedema. Intranodal lymphangiography revealed a slow contrast flow and narrowing of the thoracic duct, suggesting lymphatic duct dysplasia and leading to the diagnosis of YNS.

Yellow Nail Syndrome: A Case Presentation and a Review of Management Options

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) has traditionally been thought of as a triad of exudative pleural effusion, yellow nails, and lymphedema. More recently, in addition to the hallmark yellowish nail discoloration, the diagnostic criteria required an associated lymphedema and/or chronic respiratory manifestations including pleural effusions, bronchiectasis or chronic sinusitis. Etiology remains unknown and treatment is supportive and directed towards patient's specific complaints. While described alongside multiple endocrine, lymphatic and autoimmune disorders, its most ominous association is malignancy, raising YNS as a possible paraneoplastic condition. Here we present the case of an 80 years-old female with worsening restrictive airway disease and acquired yellow nails, with development of dyspnea, cough and leg edema. Recurrent exudative lymphocyte predominant pleural effusion was treated definitively with pleurodesis. Her leg edema and yellow nails were treated conservatively. We describe previous case reports and series in the literature, outline therapeutic options and discuss prognosis.

Hereditary Yellow Nail without a Syndrome

A 40-year-old woman presented with clinical features of yellow nail syndrome (YNS). She had no past or present associated lymphatic or respiratory abnormalities. She was accompanied by her 12-year-old daughter, who also demonstrated clinical features of YNS. Similarly, the daughter had no past or present associated lymphatic or respiratory abnormalities. At the time of evaluation, a specific treatment was not initiated for mother or daughter. (SKINmed. 2019;17:73-74).

Yellow Nail Syndrome Patients with Diffuse Panbronchiolitis-like Pulmonary Manifestation

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by a triad of yellow thick nail, lymphedema and respiratory diseases. We experienced 2 cases of YNS with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB)-like pulmonary manifestation. Since YNS might be hidden to those who have been diagnosed with DPB, physicians should be alert to recognize nail signs of YNS in case of DPB refractory to macrolide therapy. We hereby review previous case reports of YNS and discuss its pulmonary manifestations.

Yellow Nail Syndrome Presenting With a Pericardial Effusion: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is a constellation of clinical findings including at least 2 of the 3 features of thickened yellow nails, respiratory tract involvement, and lymphedema. We report the case of a middle-aged man presenting with dystrophic, thickened yellow nails; an idiopathic pericardial effusion in the absence of pleural effusion(s); and unilateral apical bronchiectasis found on computed tomography of the chest. This represents a unique presentation of YNS as the first report of a patient with YNS and a pericardial effusion in the absence of pleural effusions and lymphedema and is the 11th case report of YNS with pericardial effusion.

Thoracoscopy under Local Anesthesia was Useful for Diagnosing Yellow Nail Syndrome

An 80-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis and a past history of tuberculosis presented with exertional dyspnea and edema of both legs. Chest X-ray performed on admission showed bilateral pleural effusion. Thoracoscopy under local anesthesia was performed, and vasodilation and non-specific yellowish inflammatory changes were noted in the pleura. A pathological examination showed chronic fibrosing pleuritis in addition to chronic pleural inflammatory changes with lymphoid aggregates. The nails on all fingers and toes were thickened and displayed yellow discoloration, and the edema was resistant to diuretics. Lymphoscintigraphy was conducted, which showed lymphatic drainage abnormalities. The patient was ultimately diagnosed as having yellow nail syndrome.

Yellow Nail Syndrome Associated with Pericarditis and Pericardial Effusion: a Case Report

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is an uncommon condition characterized by nail changes, lymphedema, in addition to pulmonary disorders and pleural effusion. Pericarditis and non-cardiac disorders can evolve with pericardial effusions including autoimmune conditions, hypothyroidism, malignancies, tuberculosis, and uremia. A 72-year-old Brazilian woman under treatment for arterial hypertension and hypothyroidism was admitted with pericarditis and pericardial effusion concomitant with yellow nail syndrome. She denied tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse, and similar disorders in her family. Clinical and complementary evaluation ruled out infectious diseases, malignancies, and autoimmune disorders as etiologic factors in this case. Hypothyroidism is a well-known cause of pericardial effusion, the vast majority in the absence of pericarditis, and has been described as an associated condition in some individuals with YNS. Case studies might contribute to better understanding of these causal or casual relationships.

A curious case of yellow nail syndrome

The Yellow Nail Syndrome is a rare clinical entity, first described in 1967 by P.D. Samman and W.F. White. The triad slow-growing dystrophic yellow nails, lymphedema and chronic respiratory disorders is the typical manifestation of the disease but some variations have been described as well as associations with chylothorax, chylous ascites, intestinal lymphangiectasia, thyroid abnormalities, malignancies and immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency. We present a case of a 55-years-old woman that had an insidious onset of respiratory disorders and chronic sinusitis, suspected to be infectious throughout the hospitalizations, associated with therapeutically neglected autoimmune thyroiditis.

[Enigmatic lymphatic diseases involving the lung]

Lymphedema associated with other developmental malformations (Milroy syndrome, Hennekam syndrome, Noonan syndrome, Gorham-Stout syndrome, yellow nail syndrome) are unfrequent disease, but explorations led to the identification of genetic mutations that have then been validated in mouse models. However, lymphatic vessels complexity and its proximity with the venous system suggest the need for further researches, especially in the comprehension of pulmonary symptoms.

A 24 year-old male with yellow nail syndrome having bronchiactasis without pleural effusion as a pulmonary manifestation

Yellow nail syndrome is a rare entity of unknown etiology. Classically, it consists of a triad of slow-growing yellow nails of fingers and toes, lymphedema, and pulmonary manifestations mainly pleural effusion. Other pulmonary manifestations also have been described in the literature such as bronchiectasis, recurrent pneumonias, bronchitis, and sinusitis. This paper describes a case of yellow nail syndrome which did not have the classic triad of the condition; he presented with progressive yellow hand and toe nails intermittent lymphedema, bronchctasis, and sinusitis without pleural effusion.

[Discovery of a yellow nail syndrome with major hypothyroidism]

The yellow nail syndrome is rare. It associates the triad: yellow nails, lymphedema and thoracic events. We report two cases of this syndrome with major hypothyroidism. These observations suggest an association between these two diseases.

[Yellow nail syndrome in a patient with membranous glomerulonephritis]

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is a condition characterized by yellow-green coloration of nails, respiratory manifestations and lymphoedema. This article presents 52-year-old patient with membranous glomerulonephritis, hospitalized at the National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute in Warsaw, because of suspected allergic aspergillosis. Based on clinical and radiological evaluation the diagnosis of YNS was established. Treatment of renal disease did not affect the course of yellow nail syndrome. During the two-year follow-up, despite stable renal parameters we observed the progression of respiratory manifestations (bronchiectasis, pleural effusions).

Yellow nail syndrome: missed diagnosis of a rare syndrome

A 61 year old male, with a bilateral persistent and recurrent pleural effusion, had undergone frequent tapping over a period of eight months, prior to the referral. The patient was treated earlier to the referral empirically for pulmonary tuberculosis with no response to the treatment. Malignancy was suspected and ruled out. A detailed examination showed that he also had atrophic nails with yellow discoloration and lymphedema of feet. Yellow nail syndrome was diagnosed on the basis of the clinical findings of the triad viz. yellow atrophic nails, lymphedema and bilateral pleural effusions. Pathogenesis still remains elusive for the syndrome. Pleurodesis provided both symptomatic relief and a respite from repeated tapping. The case is presented as a rare condition, which was missed for diagnosis, for quite some time by several specialists.

Yellow nail syndrome in a medical clinic

Yellow nail syndrome is a very rare clinical entity usually diagnosed from a combination of yellow dystrophic nails, lymphoedema and respiratory diseases. The aetiology is not known though dysfunctional hypoplastic lymphatics is speculated. Most cases occur sporadically but few cases may be associated with systemic diseases or may be inherited. This report documents another case in a 56-year old Caribbean female who presented with a six-year history of recurrent respiratory symptoms and later yellow dystrophic nails and lymphoedema. She responded well to vitamin E and oral fluconazole. We also did a short literature review of yellow nail syndrome.

Yellow nail syndrome in association with renal cell carcinoma in an elderly patient

A case of yellow nail syndrome in an 88-year-old man in association with renal cell carcinoma was reported.

[A case of yellow nail syndrome with bilateral pleural effusion]

A 68-year-old woman, suffering from dyspnea on exertion, was admitted to our hospital. She had noticed her nails become yellow 8 years previously. She had mild bilateral effusion. Examination of the pleural fluid revealed exudates which were lymphocyte-rich, a high concentration of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and elevated serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptors. These confirmed the diagnosis of yellow nail syndrome.