Pterygium inversum unguis in a patient with leprosy

Abstract

To the Editor.— Pterygium inversum unguis is a relatively recently described condition affecting the nails. 1 It consists of a distal extension of the hyponychium with its fusion to the undersurface of the nail plate. 1,2 The distal nail groove that separates the hyponychium from the nail plate becomes obliterated. The condition may be congenital, familial, or acquired. 2 A patient with leprosy and pterygium inversum unguis is described. Report of a Case.— A 30-year-old man presented with a trophic ulcer on the sole of his left foot. He had developed borderline tuberculoid leprosy at the age of 24 years, and had experienced involvement of the right ulnar and right median and left posterior tibial nerves. He had received standard chemotherapy with dapsone (100 mg/d) and rifampicin (600 mg once a month) for 6 months. However, the anesthesia involving the palm of his right hand and the sole of his