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Congenital onychogryphosis: Leaning Tower nail
Amiya Kumar Nath1, Carounanidy Udayashankar
1Indira Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Puducherry Pondicherry, Pondicherry, India.
Dermatology Online Journal
|December 6, 2011
Summary
A man had a congenital, thickened, and angled fingernail since birth. This unique case of congenital onychogryphosis was humorously termed the "congenital leaning tower nail".
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Congenital onychogryphosis is a rare nail disorder.
- Idiopathic nail abnormalities can present from birth.
Observation:
- A 45-year-old male presented with a lifelong, thickened, and hyperkeratotic left fifth fingernail.
- The affected nail was angled approximately 45 degrees relative to the distal phalanx.
Findings:
- The condition was diagnosed as congenital onychogryphosis of idiopathic origin.
- Prominent subungual hyperkeratosis was noted on examination.
Implications:
- This case introduces a novel descriptive term, "congenital leaning tower nail," for this specific presentation.
- Highlights the importance of recognizing rare congenital nail deformities.
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