Do you know this syndrome? Nail patela syndrome: a pathognomonic dermatologic finding

Abstract: The nail-patella syndrome involves a clinical tetrad of changes in the nails, knees, elbows and the presence of iliac horns. Nail changes are the most constant feature: absent, hypoplastic, or dystrophic. A pathognomonic finding is the presence of the triangular lunula. The diagnosis of nail-patella syndrome is based on clinical findings. In this paper we will discuss a case report of this syndrome and its relation with a dermatological finding.

Comparative microscopic analysis of nail clippings from patients with cutaneous psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The nail involvement in psoriasis is related to psoriatic arthritis and may represent a predictor of the disease. OBJECTIVES: To analyze, through nail clipping, clinically normal and dystrophic nails of patients with cutaneous psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional multicenter study, conducted between August 2011 and March 2012. Patients were divided into four groups: patients with cutaneous psoriasis and onychodystrophy, patients with cutaneous psoriasis and clinically normal nails, patients with psoriatic arthritis and onychodystrophy and patients with psoriatic arthritis and clinically normal nails. We calculated NAPSI (Nail Psoriasis Severity Index) of the nail with more clinically noticeable change. After collection and preparation of the nail clipping, the following microscopic parameters were evaluated: thickness of the nail plate and subungual region, presence or absence of parakeratosis, serous lakes, blood, and fungi. RESULTS: There were more layers of parakeratosis (p=0.001) and a greater thickness of the subungual region in patients with cutaneous psoriasis and onychodystrophy (p=0.002). Serous lakes were also more present in the same group (p=0.008) and in patients with psoriatic arthritis and normal nails (p=0.047). The other microscopic parameters showed no significant difference between normal and dystrophic nails or between patients with psoriatic arthritis or cutaneous psoriasis. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Small sample size and use of medications. CONCLUSIONS: Nail clipping is a simple and quick method to assess the nails of patients with nail psoriasis although does not demonstrate difference between those with joint changes or exclusively cutaneous psoriasis.

Nail abnormalities in patients with vitiligo

Abstract: Background: Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary skin disorder affecting 0.1-4% of the general population. The nails may be affected in patients with an autoimmune disease such as psoriasis, and in those with alopecia areata. It has been suggested that nail abnormalities should be apparent in vitiligo patients. Objective: We sought to document the frequency and clinical presentation of nail abnormalities in vitiligo patients compared to healthy volunteers. We also examined the correlations between nail abnormalities and various clinical parameters. Methods: This study included 100 vitiligo patients and 100 healthy subjects. Full medical histories were collected from the subjects, who underwent thorough general and nail examinations. All nail changes were noted. In the event of clinical suspicion of a fungal infection, additional mycological investigations were performed. Results: Nail abnormalities were more prevalent in the patients (78%) than in the controls (55%) (p=0.001). Longitudinal ridging was the most common finding (42%), followed by (in descending order): leukonychia, an absent lunula, onycholysis, nail bed pallor, onychomycosis, splinter hemorrhage and nail plate thinning. The frequency of longitudinal ridging was significantly higher in patients than in controls (p<0.001). Conclusions: Nail abnormalities were more prevalent in vitiligo patients than in controls. Systematic examination of the nails in such patients is useful because nail abnormalities are frequent. However, the causes of such abnormalities require further study. Longitudinal ridging and leukonychia were the most common abnormalities observed in this study.

Síndrome de rapp hodgkin: a propósito de un caso: Centro de Recuperación Nutricional "Dr. Pastor Oropeza" San Cristóbal Estado Táchira-Venezuela noviembre 2003 / Rapp-Hodgkin syndrome: a purpose of a case: Centro de Recuperación Nutricional Dr. Pastor Oropeza San Cristóbal stado Táchira-Venezuela november 2003

La displasia ectodérmica hereditaria (DEH), representa un grupo de disturbios caracterizados por aplasia o displasia de estructuras y tejidos derivados del ectodermo. Las estructuras generalmente afectadas incluyen el cabello, piel, uñas, dientes y diversas glándulas. Esta condición representa un disturbio raro y se estima su frecuencia de un caso a cada 10.000 ó 100.000 nacimientos. La detección de la DEH en recién nacidos y en los primeros años de la infancia puede ser tarea difícil, debido a pocos cabellos y pelos, así como la ausencia de dientes, son características muy comunes durante esos períodos. Después de los primeros años de vida el diagnóstico es realizado con mayor facilidad, basados en la historia clínica del paciente y el examen físico. Es importante resaltar que en muchas circunstancias la DEH puede presentar características semejantes o hasta estar asociada a otros síndromes, tales como a ectocractilia displasia ectodérmica (EEC), síndrome trico-rino-falangeral y enfermedad de Robinson. El tratamiento de la DEH es exitosa cuando se establece el diagnóstico en el período adecuado o sea en la infancia. Un control multidisciplinario, instituido en los primeros años de vida del paciente, puede minimizar las posibles complicaciones odontológicas y médicas.

Osteoartropatia hipertrófica primária: relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy: a case report and review of the literature

Os autores relatam um caso de osteoartropatia hipertrófica do tipo primária em paciente de 29 anos de idade, com dores articulares e aumento de volume das extremidades há 15 anos. Ao exame físico apresentava baqueteamento dos dedos e unhas em "vidro de relógio". A osteoartropatia hipertrófica foi considerada como primária porque foram excluídas todas as causas da forma secundária. As principais alterações radiológicas foram: espessamento das camadas corticais dos ossos tubulares e reação periosteal contínua do tipo lamelar. Não foram notadas alterações dos espaços articulares

The authors report a case of primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in a 29-year-old male with swollen joints. Physical examination revealed also digital clubbing and convexity of the nails. All other causes of secondary forms of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy were excluded. The main radiological abnormalities found were bone cortical hypertrophy and periosteal proliferation. Abnormalities of the joint spaces were not observed.