Dermoscopic (Onychoscopic) findings of various nail disorders among patients attending dermatology-teaching center in Sulaymaniyah city

Abstract

Background and objectives: The term onychoscopy have recently been introduced to define the use of dermoscopy in nail disorders, which is the dermoscopic examination of nail unit and its components. With onychoscopy, many nail signs can be magnified and combined with clinical examination to reach a diagnosis, it aids in avoiding the need of nail biopsy. Aim of this study is to describe the onychoscopic features of the most important nail disorders.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study of 99 patients with various nail lesions conducted over a period of 9 months. All participants subjected to complete medical history, general and skin examination. Dermoscopic examination of the affected nails performed by a handheld Dermlite DL4 device of (10-20) power of magnification and the findings re- corded.

Results: The most frequent onychoscopic findings were longitudinal striation in 93 % of onychomycosis cases, splinter hemorrhage and onycholysis with erythematous border in 94% of psoriasis cases, round homogenous pigment pattern, streaked distal end in 100% of subungual hematoma patients and multiple brown-black small dots in 100% of periungual wart cases.

Conclusions: This study showed that onychoscopy could be considered as a non-invasive and easily accessible tool for reinforcing clinical diagnosis of certain nail disorders. Onychoscopy can aid in decreasing the number of unnecessary investigations, including nail culture and biopsy.