Effectiveness of finger reconstruction using nail flap anastomosing nerve branch of the first toe nail bed / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effectiveness of finger reconstruction using nail flap anastomosing the nerve branch of the first toe nail bed.@*METHODS@#Between January 2016 and December 2022, 18 patients (18 fingers) with thumb or finger nail bed defects were admitted. There were 12 males and 6 females, with an average age of 32 years (range, 19-42 years). Four cases were finger tip tissue damage caused by machine compression, and 4 cases were distal tissue necrosis after finger replantation. There were 9 cases of thumb injury, 3 cases of index finger injury, 5 cases of middle finger injury, and 1 case of ring finger injury. There were 11 cases of distal nail damage and 7 cases of distal nail root (including nail root) damage. The time from injury to admission was 1-5 hours, with an average of 2 hours. After debridement and anti-infection treatment for 5-7 days, the wounds in size of 1 cm×1 cm to 4 cm×3 cm were reconstructed by using nail flaps anastomosing the nerve branches of the first toe nail bed. The size of the nail flaps ranged from 1.5 cm×1.5 cm to 4.5 cm×3.5 cm. The donor sites were repaired with the flaps in 16 cases and skin graft in 2 cases.@*RESULTS@#All nail flaps, flaps, and skin grafts survived after operation and the wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 10 months). The nails of 18 cases were all grown, in which 16 cases had smooth nails with satisfactory appearances, 1 case had uneven nails, and 1 case had obvious scar hyperplasia around the suture opening. At 6 months after operation, the two-point discrimination of the skin flap was 4-8 mm (mean, 6 mm). Meanwhile, the skin grafts and flaps at the donor sites regained protective sensation, good abrasion resistance, and had no negative effect upon walking and wearing shoes.@*CONCLUSION@#The application of a nail flap that anastomoses the nerve branch of the first toe nail bed for finger reconstruction has minimal damage and can achieve good nail bed repair results.

Proficiency of Pallor in Predicting Anemia.

Introduction: Anemia is one of the most commonlyencountered hematologic disease of infancy and childhood.More than 75% of Indian children under 36 months of age arefound to be anemic. Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) has beenfound to be correlated with decreased cognitive performancein many studies, hence prompt diagnosis and treatment arenecessary. Pallor is a clinical sign in the diagnosis of anemia.Current research aimed to study about the predictive value ofpallor in various sites and its relation to anemia.Material and methods: 500 children attending the outpatientdepartment of pediatrics were evaluated for clinical pallor andHemoglobin was estomated by cyanmethemoglobin method.Results: When the various parameters were comparedbetween conjunctival, palmar, mucosal and nail bed pallor;it has been observed that sensitivity was highest for nail bedpallor in the evaluation of anemia. Specificity was highest forconjunctival pallor. The positive predictive value and negativepredictive value were both highest for conjunctival pallorand least for palmar pallor. However, when all the evaluatedparameters were compared in patients with severe anemia,highest sensitivity and specificity was observed for palmarpallor. The positive predictive value was highest for palmarpallor and least for nail bed pallor. The negative predictivevalue was highest for conjunctival pallor and least for nail bedpallor.Conclusion: Clinical pallor of the nailbeds had highestsensitivity for detection of moderate anemia while palmarpallor had the highest sensitivity for the detection of severeanemia. These are simple clinical signs which can be read evenby non doctors and can thus be taught to various personnellike health workers and school teachers for early detection andprompt management of anemia in children below 5 years.

Use of partial nail carried by great toe fibular flap for repairing the defect of fingertip soft tissue and nail bed: 12 cases report / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To investigate the method and clinical outcome of partial nail carried by great toe fibular flap for repairing the defect of fingertip soft tissue and nail bed.Methods From June,2016 to October,2017,12 cases suffered the defect of fingertip soft tissue and nail bed.The injury fingers included 5 index fingers,6 mindle fingers and 1 ring finger.All cases were complicated with nail bed defect of different degrees.The nail matrix was intact.The area of fingertip defect ranged from 1.0 cm×1.0 cm to 1.5 cm×2.5 cm.The area of nail bed defect ranged from 0.2 cm×0.8 cm to 0.5 cm×1.5 cm.Great toe fibular flap combine with partial nail was harvested.Donor site was directly sutured or skin grafting according to the size.The regular preoperative followed-up was performed.Results All flaps survived with donor sites healing good.The average followed-up time was 7 (ranging from 2 to 10) months,and cosmetically acceptable results were achieved for all patients.The mean static 2-PD in the flaps was 7.5 (range,6.0 to 8.0) mm.No obvious deformity of the great toe nail.Conclusion Findings proved that using partial nail carried by great toe fibular flap is a beneficial microsurgical alternative for reconstructing defect of fingertip soft tissue and nail bed.

Transplantation of slice nail bed flap of great toe with vascular anastomosisin repairing nail bed and soft tissue defect of fingers / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To discuss the clinical effect of transplantation of slice nail bed flap of great toe with vascular anastomosis in repair of partial nail-bed and soft tissue defect at fingers.Methods From January,2015 to March,2018,16 cases (16 fingers) of partial nail-bed defect at fingers were repaired with transplantation of slice nail bed flap of great toe with vascular anastomosis.All cases were combined with palmar soft tissue defect at distal segment fingers.The area of nail bed defects were from 0.8 cr×0.5 cm to 1.2 cm×1.0 cm.The area of soft tissue defects were from 1.2 cm×1.0 cm to 2.5 cm×1.5 cm.The average time from injury to operation was 3.6 hours after injuries (ranging from 1 hour to 8 hours).The area of slice nail bed flap incised during operation were from 2.5 cm×1.2 cm to 3.2 cm×1.8 cm,and the donor site was sutured directly.All patients were followed-up regularly for nail appearance,function and donor healing.Among them,11 cases were followed-up by clinic,4 cases by WeChat,and telephone follow-up was performed in 1 case.Results The nail-bed flap after transplantation survived successfully.The followed-up time were from 6 to 18 months,the average time was 9 months.Longitudinal spine and rough appearance occurred in 1 case.Others were flat,smooth,complete attachment of nail body and nail bed.The flaps had good appearance,texture and elasticity at 6 months after surgery,and two-point discrimination was 6-12 mm(average,8 mm).The toenails at donor sites grew well.No walk-associated pain after long-term following-up.Six months after surgery,according to standard for efficacy evaluation of nail regeneration,12 cases were excellent,3 cases were good and 1 case was acceptable.Conclusion Transplantation of slice nail bed flap of great toe with vascular anastomosis in repair of partial nail-bed and soft tissue defect at fingers is one of the effective methods for repairing nail-bed defect at fingers.

Effectiveness of great toenail bed flap supplied with fibular dorsal artery of great toe for finger nail bed central longitudinal defect / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To explore the surgical method and effectiveness of the great toenail bed flap supplied with the fibular dorsal artery of great toe in repair of the finger nail bed central longitudinal defect. Methods: Between May 2012 and February 2017, 7 cases (7 fingers) with the finger nail bed central longitudinal defects were repaired with the great toenail bed flap supplied with the fibular dorsal artery of great toe. There were 3 males and 4 females; the age ranged from 17 to 35 years (mean, 27 years). The cause of injury included cutting injury in 2 cases, electric shaving injury in 3 cases, and frictional injury in 2 cases. The defect located at thumb in 3 cases, index finger in 3 cases, and middle finger in 1 case. The defect area ranged from 12 mm×8 mm to 21 mm×13 mm. The time from injury to admission was 1-2 hours (mean, 1.5 hours). The area of the great toenail bed flap ranged from 14 mm×10 mm to 23 mm×15 mm. The wound of donor site was directly sutured in 3 cases and repaired with full thickness skin graft in 4 cases. Results: All the great toenail bed flaps and skin grafts at the donor sites survived; and all wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 9 to 36 months (mean, 23 months). The finger nails were smooth and shiny and recovered ideal appearance. At 9 months after operation, the two-point discrimination of the skin ranged from 7 to 9 mm (mean, 8 mm). According to the standard evaluation for nail bed repair issued by Zook etc., 6 cases were rated as excellent and 1 case as good, and the excellent and good rate was 100%. Conclusion: It is an ideal method to repair the finger nail bed central longitudinal defect with the great toenail bed flap supplied with the fibular dorsal artery of the great toe.

A Case of Hypertrophic Scar Occurring on the Toe Nail Bed / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

The application of artificial dermis in repairing partial fingernail bed defect / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To explore the clinical effect of artificial dermis on partial nail bed defects.@*Methods@#From May 2013 to September 2016, 16 cases of 21 fingers with partial nail bed defect and bone exposure received primary repair with artificial dermis after debridement. Then the outer dressing was changed 3 days after the operation, and the dressing was changed once every 3 to 5 days. The pink dermis like tissue was placed on the wound surface 2 to 3 weeks after the operation. The wound surface was naturally epithelialized.@*Results@#All the fingers were survived after artificial dermis repair, and the fingertip surface of nail bed defect was epithelialized naturally and healed well. Postoperative follow-up was 5 to 16 months, with an average of 8.2 months. The growth of fingernails was smooth with symmetrical appearance, natural toughness, good adhesion between the nail body and the nail bed, and no pain or hyperesthesia at the tip. Results of curative effect evaluation showed excellent in 18 fingers, good in 3 fingers. Results of patient′s satisfaction with postoperative finger appearance showed very satisfactory in 13 cases and satisfactory in 3 cases.@*Conclusions@#The method of repairing partial defect of nail bed using artificial dermis is simple with minimal damage and a good clinical effect.

Pacinian corpuscle-like structure in the digital tendon sheath and nail bed: a study using late-stage human fetuses / 대한해부학회지

Pacinian corpuscle-like structures were identified in the digital tendon sheaths and nail beds of hands obtained from eight of 12 human fetuses of gestational age 20–34 weeks (crown-rump length, 150–290 mm). The aberrant corpuscles were present in tight fibrous tissue connecting the flexor tendon sheath to the dorsal aponeurosis (138 corpuscles in the thumbs and all fingers of eight fetuses); loose fibrous tissue inside the sheath on the dorsal side of the tendon (37 corpuscles in the thumbs and all fingers of four fetuses); and the nail bed (10 clusters in the thumbs and second fingers of four smaller fetuses). The aberrant corpuscles in the tendon sheath were classified into two types: thin and short, with tightly packed lamellae, of diameter 20–40 µm and length 20–200 µm; and thick and long, with loosely packed lamellae, of diameter 70–150 µm and length 0.5–1.5 mm. The small corpuscles tended to form clusters, each containing 5–10 structures. Their similarity indicated that the tight and loose lamellae in these two types of corpuscles corresponded to typical immature and mature corpuscles, respectively, usually distributed along the palmar digital nerve. However, mature, large corpuscles were absent from the nail bed, and most aberrant corpuscles were smaller than typical corpuscles along the nerve. The aberrant corpuscles were apparently incorporated into the tendon sheath or nail bed during fetal vascular development, but they appeared to degenerate after birth due to mechanical stress from the tendon or nail.

Decorative repair of nail-bed defect at finger by partial nail-bed flap at second toe with blood-vessel anastomosed / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To discuss the clinical effect of partial nail-bed flap at second toe with blood-vessel anastomosed in repair of different types of nail-bed defects at finger.Methods From July,2010 to July,2015,25 cases of partial nail-bed flap at second toe with blood-vessel anastomosed were treated,including 14 males and 11 females,with an age range from 18 to 45 years old (average 25 years old).Eleven cases at index finger,6 cases at middle finger,5 cases at ring finger and 3 cases at little finger.According to the classification of nail bed defect site,9 cases at lateral,5 cases at nail root and 11 cases at distal.All cases were combined skin and soft tissue defect.The area of defects were from 1.1 cm × 2.0 cm to 2.5 cm × 3.2 cm.The time from injury to admission were from 1 hour and 12 minutes to 3 hours and 12 minutes,the average time was 2.1 hours.The area of incised nail flap during operation were from 1.2 cm × 2.2 cm to 2.6 cm × 3.5 cm.The donor site was sutured directly or repaired with free skin graft.The toe length in all cases were retained.The nail shape,nail gloss,fine function of finger such as pinch,grip,grasp and restoration of the donor toes were compared in the follow-up.All patients were followed-up at regllar intervals.Results The nail-bed flap after transplantation and skin graft at donor site survived successfully,and primary healing of the wounds occured in all cases.The follow-up time were from 6 to 26 months(average 9 months).Longitudinal spine or transverse groove occurred in 3 cases at the nail-bed boundary between toe and finger,nail thickened and distal tilted occurred in 1 case,flat,smooth,no deformity nail and glossy deck occurred in others.The flap had good appearance,texture and elasticity.Two-point discrimination was 5-9 mm,averageal of 6 mm.The donor toe had no shortening and no pain after long-term following.According to effectiveness standard for fingernail regeneration:19 cases were excellent and 6 cases were good.Conclusion Partial nail-bed flap at second toe wih bloodvessel anastomosed in repairing nail-bed defects at finger,nail appearance is realistic and function recovered well postoperatively.

Surgical treatment of nail bed subungual exostosis

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>A subungual exostosis (SE) is a bony overgrowth that is permanently attached to the tip of the distal phalanx. Its pathology differs from osteocartilaginous exostoses in that it mainly involves the overgrowth of normal bone, which may present beneath the toenail or on the sides of the toe. This retrospective study aimed to report the results of surgical treatment when the diagnosis of SE was delayed; the condition was initially considered to be another pathology affecting a different nail or the terminal toe.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 17 patients (12 female, five male) were included in the study. All surgical resections were performed by the same surgeon using the same surgical technique, with the patient under digital anaesthesia. The patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively (on Weeks 1 and 6, the first year, and the last follow-up visit) using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society questionnaire and the Visual Analogue Scale score.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients underwent surgery for SE removal between December 2009 and October 2012. Their mean age was 21.3 ± 4.4 (range 14-29) years and the mean follow-up period was 27.1 ± 7.8 (range 18-45) months. Clinical or radiological recurrence was not observed in any of the patients during the follow-up period. Four patients had superficial infections, which were treated using appropriate antibiotic therapies.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As SE is an uncommon benign lesion, its diagnosis may be delayed. Radiography may be useful in obtaining a differential diagnosis.</p>

Trauma to the nail complex / Trauma do complexo ungueal

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the results from surgical intervention to treat trauma of the nail complex. METHODS: we retrospectively reviewed a series of 94 consecutive patients with trauma of the nail complex who were treated between 2000 and 2009. In 42 patients, nail bed suturing was performed. In 27 patients, nail bed suturing was performed subsequent to osteosynthesis of the distal phalanx. In 15, immediate grafting was performed, and in 10, late-stage grafting of the nail bed. The growth, size and shape of the nail were evaluated in comparison with the contralateral finger. The results were obtained by summing scores and classifying them as good, fair or poor. RESULTS: the results were considered to be good particularly in the patients who underwent nail bed suturing or nail bed suturing with osteosynthesis of the distal phalanx. Patients who underwent immediate or late-stage nail grafting had poor results. CONCLUSION: trauma of the nail complex without loss of substance presented better results than did deferred treatment for reconstruction of the nail complex...

OBJETIVO: analisar os resultados da intervenção cirúrgica do trauma do complexo ungueal. Métodos: revisamos 94 pacientes consecutivos com trauma do complexo ungueal entre 2000 e 2009. Em 42 pacientes foi feita a sutura no leito ungueal. Em 27, a sutura do leito foi posterior à osteossíntese da falange distal. Em 15, foi feito enxerto imediato e em 10, enxerto tardio do leito ungueal. Foram avaliados o crescimento, o tamanho e a forma da unha comparados ao dedo contralateral. Os resultados foram obtidos com a adição de escores e a classificação deles como bom, regular e ruim. RESULTADOS: foram julgados como bons os pacientes que se submeteram principalmente a suturas do leito ungueal e sutura do leito e osteossíntese da falange distal. Pacientes sub-metidos a enxerto imediato e enxerto posterior da unha tiveram resultados ruins. CONCLUSÃO: o trauma do complexo ungueal sem perda de substância apresentou melhores resultados comparado com a reconstrução do complexo ungueal...

Pincer Nail Deformity Treated with Widening of the Nail Bed / 대한피부과학회지

Pincer nail deformity is a nail deformity characterized by a transverse overcurvature of the nail plate, which increases along the longitudinal axis. Many conservative and surgical treatment modalities have been reported. Conservative methods can be difficult to use in cases of severe deformity because of their high recurrence rate. Therefore, surgical techniques, including nail matricectomy or correction of the nail bed, have been preferred in these cases. Matricectomy is generally considered as the surgical treatment of pincer nail deformity because of low recurrence rate in the field of dermatology. However, poor cosmetic results (e.g. narrowing of nail plate) are frequently observed. We present here a case of pincer nail deformity in the left great toe in a 57-year-old man who was treated successfully with widening of the nail bed without matricectomy. This method is an effective surgical technique preserving the nail matrix for the correction of pincer nail deformity.

Thin Split-Thickness Toe Nail-Bed Grafts for Nail Bed Defects in Subungal Exostosis: Two Cases Report / 대한골관절종양학회지

We reviewed the clinical features of 2 patients who underwent surgery for subungal exostosis, focusing on postoperative deformity of the nail. The lesion destroyed the nail bed and was excised with a direct approach. then thin split-thickness sterile matrix graft was done after excision of the tumor because the defect of the nail bed was large. Good postoperative appearance of the nail was obtained by thin split-thickness sterile matrix graft. The use of thin split-thickness sterile matrix graft for the replacement of a nail bed defect can regain a smooth, adherent, and normal-looking nail and avoid donor-site morbidity. Thin split-thickness toe-nail bed graft is a good choice for the prevention of postoperative deformity.

A Case Report of Nail Bed Reconstruction with Digital Artery Perforator (DAP) Flap and Buccal Mucosal Graft

PURPOSE: Many fingertip injuries are associated with nail injury and it is hard to repair to original shape due to its unique characteristic. Mucosal graft is used for a defect of the nail bed injury. Hereby, we introduce a DAP flap and buccal mucosal graft, with which we could reduce the defect size of the injured fingertip and donor site morbidity at the same time, without any need for harvesting additional skin from other part of hand. Also, mucosal graft makes good cosmetic and functional outcome of nail. METHODS: This method was performed in a 56-year-old man with fingertip injury on dorsal side of left thumb due to electrical saw. First, DAP flap was performed on the injured finger to reduce the size of the defect of fingertip and cover the bone exposure. Second, nail bed part of the DAP flap was de-epithelized and buccal mucosal graft was done from left side of intraoral cavity wall. RESULTS: Flap and graft survived without any necrosis but some nail bed could not be covered with flap due to insufficient flap size. All wounds healed well and did not present any severe adversary symptoms. CONCLUSION: DAP flap with mucosal graft is an effective method that we can easily apply in reconstruction of fingertip injury. We suggest that the combination of the two procedures makes good functional and cosmetic outcome compared to the usual manner, especially in cases of nail bed injury without distal phalanx bone defect.

Afecções ungueais nas doenças sistêmicas. O que as unhas podem dizer-nos / Nail disorders in systemic disease: What the nail tell us

A aparência das unhas de mãos e pés pode sugerir uma doença sistêmica subjacente. Em geral, unha em vidro de relógio pode sugerir doença pulmonar ou doença inflamatória do intestino. Coiloníquia pode significar anemia ou hemocromatose. Na ausência de trauma ou psoríase, a presença de onicólise pode sugerir hipertereoidismo. As linhas de Beau podem indicar doença febril severa prévia, trauma ou exposição a temperaturas frias nos pacientes com doença de Raynaud. Nos pacientes com linhas de Muehrcke devemos checar os níveis de albumina. A presença nas unhas de hemorragia em estilhaço pode indicar a presença de endocardite. Pacientes com telangectasias, coiloníquia ou pitting das unhas podem apresentar doença do tecido conectivo. Neste trabalho, revemos nas unhas os sinais mais comuns, que podem auxiliar-nos no diagnóstico de doenças sistêmicas.

Adhesive Silicone Gel Sheet for Treatment of Nailbed Injury

If autogenous nail is lost in nail bed injuries, alternative effective nail bed protection material is questionable in postoperative follow up period. The conventional modality with autogenous nail coverage have several disadvantages such as drawback of maintenance, higher chance of loss and complex dressing step (eg. ointment apply for humidification and nail fixation using tape or bandage). So, we have studied the usefulness of adhesive silicone gel sheet for alternative nail bed protection material until the end of nail regeneration. From March 2003 to July 2004, we have experienced 215 traumatic nail bed injuries except fingertip loss. Among these patient, we classified two groups, 30 cases with autogenous nail protection(Group I) and 30 cases with adhesive silicone gel sheet protection(Group II). Mean full nail growth time was 3.6 months in group I and 3.8 months in group II. Mean final nail appearance score(0: poor, 4: excellent) was 3.0 in group I and 3.5 in group II. Adhesive silicone gel sheet protection(Group II) was slightly superior to the autogenous nail protection in final appearance, especially sterile matrix laceration. In conclusion, we believe that adhesive silicone gel sheet application is a simple, acceptable, alternative method for protecting nail bed with loss of autogenou nail. It has a number of advantages compared with autogenous nail such as better humidification, controllable hygiene, less pain, less hospitalization, less frequent visit, less chance of loss, avoiding complex dressing step and more even pressure with adhesiveness, flexibility and durability.

Effect of Tongxinluo capsule (通心络胶囊) on microcirculatory changes of nail bed and hemorrheology in patients with coronary artery disease and angina pectoris / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective: To investigate the mechanisms of curative effect of Tongxinluo capsule(通心络胶囊) on patients with coronary artery disease and angina pectoris.Methods: One hundred and twelve cases in accord with the diagnostic criteria of coronary heart disease of World Health Organization(WHO) were(randomly) divided into two groups: treatment group(n=60) and control group(n=52).The patients in both groups were treated with routine therapy including ?receptor retardant and ester of nitric acid etc.(Additionally),the treatment group was treated with Tongxinluo capsules,2 capsules each time and 2 times(per day) for 2 months consecutively.The clinical manifestations before and after treatment,the changes of(electrocardiogram)(ECG),microcirculation of nail bed and hemorrheology were observed in all the patients in both groups.Results: The total clinical effective rate and the rate of total improvement in ECG changes were 86.67% and 80.00% respectively after treatment in the treatment group,and compared with the control group(78.85% and 69.23%) the differences were significant(both P

Nail Bed Resurfacing with Split-Thickness Nail Bed Graft

The presence of a fingernail is important in facilitating tactile sensibility to finger pulp, stabilizing the tip for refined pinch, scratching and providing dorsal protection. Many reconstructive procedures have been introduced in the past for reconstruction of the nail. The authors performed a reconstruction of the nail in 13 patients using a split-thickness nail bed graft. Results of nail growth in reconstructed nail were judged as good, fair, or poor on the basis of appearance of nail and the patient's satisfaction. The outcome of the 13 cases (mean follow-up of 11 months) was good in eight cases, fair in three cases, and poor in two cases, respectively. Although the authors' experience suggests the unpredictable nature of nail bed graft, it should be considered for patients who desire nail reconstruction and are not candidates for ablation or vascularized nail complex transfer procedure.

Two Cases of Acquired Fibrokeratoma Occuring on the Prepatellar Area and the Nail Bed / 대한피부과학회지

Aquired fibrokeratoma is a rare, benign tumor which occurs most frequently on the fingers. Because of the digital predilection, a term of digital fibrokeratoma has been frequently used. We present here two cases of acquired fibrokeratoma occurring on the prepatellar area and the proximal nail bed which are unusual sites of this lesion. A skin-colored, hyperkeratotic tumor with finger-like projection was found on the prepatellar area of a 29-year-old man and a round pedunculated nodule was found on the proximal nail bed of second finger of a 74-year-old woman. Histopathologic examination revealed typical features of acquired fibrokeratoma.

A Case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Nail Bed with Lymph Node Metastasis / 대한피부과학회지

We report a case of a 53-year-old woman with squamous cell carcinoma with lymph node metastasis who has had a recurrent painful bleeding papule on the right toe nail bed with resultant nail plate shedding over the past two years. X-ray and computer tomography examinations showed nearly total destruction of the distal phalanx of the right fifth toe and right inguinal lymph node enlargemet it. A nail bed biopsy specimen disclosed invading tumor masses composed of atypical squamous cells and multiple horn pearls. While squamous cell carcinoma of the nail bed is not usually aggresive and local removal is usually adequate, the possibility that metastasis or invasion of the adjacent phalanx or joint can occur should be kept in mind.