Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

06:15
Anterior High-Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography in the Diagnosis and Therapeutic Monitoring of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia
Published on: August 9, 2024
Subungual blue nevus with combined phenotypic features.
Elizabeth M T Naylor1, Beth S Ruben, Leslie Robinson-Bostom
1Department of Dermatology, Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|May 20, 2008
Summary
Blue nail dyschromia can have various causes. This case highlights a rare subungual blue nevus combined with pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma, presenting as a blue nodule.
Area of Science:
- Dermatopathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Blue nail dyschromia encompasses diverse etiologies, including melanocytic and vascular origins.
- Subungual lesions require careful histopathological evaluation for accurate diagnosis.
Observation:
- A unique case of a subungual blue nodule presenting with pseudo-clubbed nail is described.
- Histopathological analysis revealed a dual component: a common blue nevus and a pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma.
Findings:
- The study identifies an unusual combination of melanocytic nevi within the subungual region.
- This specific presentation challenges typical diagnostic criteria for blue nail conditions.
Implications:
- This case expands the differential diagnosis for blue nail dyschromia.
- Understanding combined melanocytic tumors is crucial for appropriate clinical management and patient outcomes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives
The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Pleiotropy
Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails
Nails are one of the important accessory structures of the skin. They are hard, protective structures that cover the dorsal surface of the distal phalanges of fingers and toes. Nails are composed of specialized keratinized cells and serve various functions, including protection, sensation, and manual dexterity.
The main components of a nail include the following.
Nail Plate: The nail plate is the visible portion of the nail that extends beyond the fingertips or toes. It is a hard, translucent...
The main components of a nail include the following.
Nail Plate: The nail plate is the visible portion of the nail that extends beyond the fingertips or toes. It is a hard, translucent...
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Epistasis
In addition to multiple alleles at the same locus influencing traits, numerous genes or alleles at different locations may interact and influence phenotypes in a phenomenon called epistasis. For example, rabbit fur can be black or brown depending on whether the animal is homozygous dominant or heterozygous at a TYRP1 locus. However, if the rabbit is also homozygous recessive at a locus on the tyrosinase gene (TYR), it will have an unshaded coat that appears white, regardless of its TYRP1...
Genetic Lingo
Overview

