Korean J Dermatol.  2006 May;44(5):589-592.

A Case of Melanonychia Striata Caused by Congenital Melanocytic Nevus

• Jeong Y
• Seo JK
• Sung KH
• Choi HU
• Lee SK

Abstract

A number of conditions can cause melanonychia striata, but its main importance is that it may indicate the presence of a subungual melanoma. A biopsy of the nail matrix can be performed to rule out melanoma, but nail matrix boipsies sometimes result in a permanent nail deformity. Since the incidence of melanoma in children is quite small, there is some controversy as to whether this procedure should routinely be performed in the pediatric age group. We report a 7-year-old boy with melanonychia striata resulting from a congenital melanocytic nevus.

Keyword

Children; Congenital melanocytic nevus; Melanonychia striata

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Child
Congenital Abnormalities
Humans
Incidence
Male
Melanoma
Nevus, Pigmented*