J Korean Soc Surg Hand.  2013 Dec;18(4):167-172. 10.12790/jkssh.2013.18.4.167.

Growth Disturbance of Nail Plate after a Metacarpal Fracture: Four Cases Report

• Lee DH
• Heo YM
• Yi JW
• Nam HJ
• Sung WS

• KMID: 1840498
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12790/jkssh.2013.18.4.167

Abstract

The fingernail is damaged and deformed by various causes such as crushing, laceration, avulsion injury, infection, tumor and personal habit. The growth disturbance of nail plate may be caused by systemic diseases or trauma without a direct injury of the fingernail and is usually found in accident. We experienced abnormal growth of nail plate in four patients with previous fractures of metacarpal bone. At about 8 weeks after trauma, a swelling and tenderness on the eponychium and a growth disturbance of affected nail plates occurred. All affected fingernails were treated with the nail extraction. The authors report four cases of growth disturbance of nail plates which obtained the satisfactory results by using the nail extraction.

Keyword

Fingernail; Nail plate; Growth disturbance; Nail extraction

MeSH Terms

Humans
Lacerations
Nails

Figure

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  Fig. 1. (A, B) Right second/third/fourfh finger showing about 2-3 mm color change on distal end of nail plate and a swelling of eponychium. (C) Lateral radiograph seen a soft tissue swelling on dorsum of distal interphalangeal joint. (D) After the extraction of nail plate, dis-colored lesions were found in the distal end of nail bed. (E) Nail plates were repositioned and stabilized using a 4-0 nylon suture. (F) Appearance showing a normal regrowth of nail plate.

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  Fig. 2. Appearance of nail plate (A) and eponychium (B) of right fourth finger that previously misdiagnosed as the paronychia.

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  Fig. 3. Right fingers showing the swelling of eponychium, compared with that of left fingers.

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  Fig. 4. Radiograph showing a swelling on dorsum of distal interphalangeal joint without a bony abnormality.

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