A Case of Melanonychia Striata Caused by Congenital Melanocytic Nevus / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

A number of conditions can cause melanonychia striata, but its main importance is that it may indicate the presence of a subungual melanoma. A biopsy of the nail matrix can be performed to rule out melanoma, but nail matrix boipsies sometimes result in a permanent nail deformity. Since the incidence of melanoma in children is quite small, there is some controversy as to whether this procedure should routinely be performed in the pediatric age group. We report a 7-year-old boy with melanonychia striata resulting from a congenital melanocytic nevus.