Article

Dermoscopic examination of the nail bed and matrix.

Department of Dermatology, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil.
International Journal of Dermatology (impact factor: 1.14). 02/2006; 45(1):28-30. DOI:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2004.02335.x pp.28-30
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Abstract Background Dermoscopy has furthered advances in the differential diagnosis of longitudinal melanonychia; however, fewer details observed in the nail, as compared to skin lesions, make interpretation difficult. Methods Ten cases of longitudinal melancholia, from several etiologies, were submitted to direct dermoscopic examination of the nail bed and matrix. Results We observed the presence of globules, streaks, and pigment network in the nail bed and matrix, which are dermoscopic features not seen in the nail plate. Conclusions This procedure enables visualization of dermascopic features not seen in the nail plate, making the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions easier.

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    Article: Tangential Biopsy Thickness versus Lesion Depth in Longitudinal Melanonychia: A Pilot Study.
    Nilton Di Chiacchio, Walter Refkalefsky Loureiro, Nilceo Schwery Michalany, Felipe Veiga Kezam Gabriel
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    ABSTRACT: Longitudinal melanonychia can be caused by melanocyte activation (hypermelanosis) or proliferation (lentigo, nevus or melanoma). Histopathologic examination is mandatory for suspicious cases of melanomas. Tangential biopsy of the matrix is an elegant technique avoiding nail plate dystrophy, but it was unknown whether the depth of the sample obtained by this method is adequate for histopathologic diagnosis. Twenty-two patients with longitudinal melanonychia striata were submitted to tangential matrix biopsies described by Haneke. The tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin and the specimens were measured at 3 distinct points according to the total thickness: largest (A), intermediate (B) and narrowest (C) then divided into 4 groups according to the histopathologic diagnosis (G1: hypermelanosis; G2: lentigos; G3: nevus; G4: melanoma). The lesions were measured using the same method. The mean specimen/lesion thickness measure values for each group was: G1: 0,59/0,10 mm, G2: 0,67/0,08 mm, G3: 0,52/0,05 mm, G4: 0,58/0,10 mm. The general average thickness for all the specimens/lesions was 0,59/0,08 mm. We concluded that the tangential excision, for longitudinal melanonychia, provides an adequate material for histopathological diagnosis.
    Dermatology Research and Practice 01/2012; 2012:353864.
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Keywords

Abstract Background Dermoscopy
 
dermascopic features
 
direct dermoscopic examination
 
globules
 
longitudinal melancholia
 
longitudinal melanonychia
 
melanocytic lesions
 
nail bed
 
nail plate
 
procedure enables visualization
 
skin lesions
 

S H Hirata