Ectopic Foot Nails: Clinical and Dermoscopic Features, Treatment and Outcome in 20 Cases

Abstract

Background: Ectopic nail (EN) is an extremely rare condition in which the small nail apparatus grows outside the normal nail unit of the hand and fingertips. Limited data can be found in the literature regarding ectopic nails of the foot and toes (EFN).

Objective: The study aimed at characterizing the clinical, therapeutic and dermoscopic EFN by a comparison with and differentiation from EN observed on the hands.

Methods: Data on EFN collected during 2004-2014 were analysed. A literature search was performed to evaluate articles for review points on the topic.

Results: Characteristics of shape, development, ultrasound aspects, dermoscopy and the response to treatment of 22 EFN were reported. Results from our study were compared with cases reported in the literature.

Conclusion: In this article, new aspects on EFN from the clinical-morphological and dermoscopic points of view are reported; these may facilitate the diagnosis of an anomaly even without a histological examination.