Abstract
BackgroundNail disorders comprise approximately 10% of all dermatological conditions. Because diagnosis is not always possible by clinical means alone, additional diagnostic procedures may be required at times. Dermoscopy of nails (onychoscopy) has shown promising results in diagnosing various nail disorders and also avoids time-consuming investigations such as culture and biopsy.ObjectiveTo study the dermoscopic features of various nail disorders to determine the correlation between KOH examination and onychoscopic patterns in patients with the clinical suspicion of onychomycosis, and to differentiate benign pigmented lesions from malignant ones.MethodsAn open, observational and cross-sectional study of 237 patients was conducted. All patients underwent clinical examination and the affected nails were examined with a dermatoscope. The onychoscopic patterns were identified and recorded.ResultsThe study included 237 patients with the following diagnoses: 81 onychomycosis, 63 psoriasis, 27 lichen planus, 30 longitudinal melanonychia, 24 connective tissue disorders, 5 onychophagia and nail tics, 3 subungual verrucae, 2 glomus tumor, 1 Darier disease, and 1 enchondroma. The most common onychoscopic findings were spiked pattern in cases of onychomycosis, dilated and tortuous capillaries in cases of psoriasis, longitudinal streaks and nail fragmentation in cases of lichen planus, and enlarged capillaries in cases of connective tissue diseases.LimitationsThe study was only observational and did not compare the results to biopsy and culture.ConclusionsOnychoscopy may be used as an important diagnostic tool when evaluating nail disorders. It should be used to aid in the diagnosis of various nail disorders and to avoid unnecessary and time-consuming investigations.
Highlights
MethodsObservational and cross-sectional study of 237 patients was conducted. All patients underwent clinical examination and the affected nails were examined with a dermatoscope
Nail disorders comprise approximately10% of all dermatological conditions
Onychoscopy may be used as an important diagnostic tool when evaluating nail disorders
Summary
Observational and cross-sectional study of 237 patients was conducted. All patients underwent clinical examination and the affected nails were examined with a dermatoscope. Patients who either presented with nail disorders per se or were having nail involvement associated with various dermatoses were recruited for onychoscopic evaluation over a period of 1 year, from February 2016 through January 2017. Relevant laboratory investigations such as KOH, culture of nail clippings, and nail biopsy were carried out in selected patients wherever there was diagnostic difficulty. Images were recorded directly by the digital camera of the dermatoscope with an attachment for iPhone 6 Both nonpolarized and polarized modes were used initially without and with the fluid.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
