The cytological and biochemical implications of periungual fibroma

Periungual fibromas may be acquired lesions or they may be associated with tuberous sclerosis or von Recklinghausen's Disease. Such tumors are comparatively rare benign dermatological entities. Periungual fibromas associated with the posterior nail fold have a potential for inducing deforming nail deformity. Pain resulting from the growth is due to concentration of pressures which may be placed on the nail matrix and contiguous soft tissue structures. This is further complicated by compression developed within the toe box of the shoe. The preferred treatment in symptomatic cases is that of complete surgical excision of the entire lesion. The present study presents such a case, together with histopathological features of this type of growth, with special emphasis on the subcellular features of the neoplasm.