Melanonychia
Melanonychia, or melanin-derived brown-to-black nail pigmentation, is a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. The most serious disease of the nail unit, melanoma, primarily presents with melanonychia. However, melanonychia most often occurs as a result of benign etiologies such as nail matrix melanoc...
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2012-01-01
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Series: | Dermatology Research and Practice |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/952186 |
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doaj-769e7450cf1f48afa9a76ee34bbe6d792020-11-24T23:25:37ZengHindawi LimitedDermatology Research and Practice1687-61051687-61132012-01-01201210.1155/2012/952186952186MelanonychiaJulie Jefferson0Phoebe Rich1Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USAOregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USAMelanonychia, or melanin-derived brown-to-black nail pigmentation, is a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. The most serious disease of the nail unit, melanoma, primarily presents with melanonychia. However, melanonychia most often occurs as a result of benign etiologies such as nail matrix melanocytic activation, nail matrix melanocytic hyperplasia, and nail invasion by melanin-producing pathogens. Regrettably, patients with nail apparatus melanoma are often initially misdiagnosed, and due to diagnostic delays of an average of 2 years, melanoma of the nail unit carries a poor prognosis. Having a thorough knowledge of the various causes of melanonychia and using a systematic approach when evaluating brown-to-black nail pigmentation may help prevent misdiagnosis and thereby improve prognosis.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/952186 |
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DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Julie Jefferson Phoebe Rich |
spellingShingle |
Julie Jefferson Phoebe Rich Melanonychia Dermatology Research and Practice |
author_facet |
Julie Jefferson Phoebe Rich |
author_sort |
Julie Jefferson |
title |
Melanonychia |
title_short |
Melanonychia |
title_full |
Melanonychia |
title_fullStr |
Melanonychia |
title_full_unstemmed |
Melanonychia |
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melanonychia |
publisher |
Hindawi Limited |
series |
Dermatology Research and Practice |
issn |
1687-6105 1687-6113 |
publishDate |
2012-01-01 |
description |
Melanonychia, or melanin-derived brown-to-black nail pigmentation, is a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. The most serious disease of the nail unit, melanoma, primarily presents with melanonychia. However, melanonychia most often occurs as a result of benign etiologies such as nail matrix melanocytic activation, nail matrix melanocytic hyperplasia, and nail invasion by melanin-producing pathogens. Regrettably, patients with nail apparatus melanoma are often initially misdiagnosed, and due to diagnostic delays of an average of 2 years, melanoma of the nail unit carries a poor prognosis. Having a thorough knowledge of the various causes of melanonychia and using a systematic approach when evaluating brown-to-black nail pigmentation may help prevent misdiagnosis and thereby improve prognosis. |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/952186 |
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AT juliejefferson melanonychia AT phoeberich melanonychia |
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