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Nail Dystrophy

L. S. Ostlere, MD; H. Stevens, MD; A. Mehta, MD; M. H. A. Rustin, MD
[+] Author Affiliations

The Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine, London, England


Arch Dermatol. 1995;131(8):956-956. doi:10.1001/archderm.1995.01690200095020
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REPORT OF A CASE  An 81-year-old woman presented with an 18-month history of fragility of the fingernails and toenails with a tendency to splitting, associated with itching and numbness of the fingertips.There was symmetrical dystrophy of all nails, consisting of longitudinal ridging and splitting, which was more severe on the fingernails; some had almost complete destruction of the nail (Figure 1). A violaceous scaly eruption was seen on the fingertips (Figure 2).Investigations showed a normal blood cell count, liver function tests, calcium, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and chest radiograph. Microscopy and culture of scrapings of the nails were negative for fungus. A biopsy specimen from the affected skin of the fingertip showed hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis with homogeneous eosinophilic material in the dermis (Figure 3, left), which, at higher power, was seen to be present in the walls of vessels (Figure 3, right).What is your diagnosis?Figure 1.Figure

REFERENCES

Breathnach SM.  Amyloid and amyloidosis . J Am Acad Dermatol. 1988;;18:1-16.
Breathnach SM, Black MM.  Systemic amyloidosis and the skin . Clin Exp Dermatol . 1979;;4:517-536.
Fanti PA, Tosti A, Morelli R, et al.  Nail changes as the first sign of systemic amyloidosis . Dermatologica. 1991;;183:44-46.
Breathnach SM, Wikinson JD, Black MM.  Systemic amyloidosis . Clin Exp Dermatol . 1979;;4:445-459.
Pineda MS, Herrero C, Palou J, et al.  Nail alterations in systemic amyloidosis . J Am Acad Dermatol. 1988;;18:1357-1359.
Kyle RA, Bayrd ED.  Amyloidosis . Medicine. 1975;;54:271-299.
Kyle RA, Greipp PR.  Amyloidosis . Mayo Clin Proc. 1983;;58:665-683.
Katz GA, Peter JB, Pearson CM, et al.  The shoulder-pad sign . N Engl J Med. 1973;;288:354-355.
Glenner GG, Terry W, Harada M, et al.  Amyloid fibril proteins . Science. 1971;; 172:1150-1151.
Fielder K, Durie BGM.  Primary amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma . Am J Med. 1986;;80:413-418.

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Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature

Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal

Breathnach SM.  Amyloid and amyloidosis . J Am Acad Dermatol. 1988;;18:1-16.
Breathnach SM, Black MM.  Systemic amyloidosis and the skin . Clin Exp Dermatol . 1979;;4:517-536.
Fanti PA, Tosti A, Morelli R, et al.  Nail changes as the first sign of systemic amyloidosis . Dermatologica. 1991;;183:44-46.
Breathnach SM, Wikinson JD, Black MM.  Systemic amyloidosis . Clin Exp Dermatol . 1979;;4:445-459.
Pineda MS, Herrero C, Palou J, et al.  Nail alterations in systemic amyloidosis . J Am Acad Dermatol. 1988;;18:1357-1359.
Kyle RA, Bayrd ED.  Amyloidosis . Medicine. 1975;;54:271-299.
Kyle RA, Greipp PR.  Amyloidosis . Mayo Clin Proc. 1983;;58:665-683.
Katz GA, Peter JB, Pearson CM, et al.  The shoulder-pad sign . N Engl J Med. 1973;;288:354-355.
Glenner GG, Terry W, Harada M, et al.  Amyloid fibril proteins . Science. 1971;; 172:1150-1151.
Fielder K, Durie BGM.  Primary amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma . Am J Med. 1986;;80:413-418.

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