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Published on: May 26, 2023
Acroosteolysis presenting with brachyonychia following exposure to cold
1Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Background:
A vast number of conditions ranging from simple trauma to hereditary and collagen vascular disease had been described in association with acroosteolysis.
Objective:
To demonstrate that severe cold exposure not mounting to frostbite may be associated with acroosteolysis.
Methods:
A 16-year-old girl with acroosteolysis presenting with brachyonychia was fully investigated for possible cause of her nail and bone deformity.
Results:
Lab investigations including Parathormone levels, Anti Scl 70, ANA, Anti-CCP and RF levels were all normal. X-ray imaging revealed resorption of the tufts of the terminal phalanges bilaterally. Disruption of nail fold capillaries with sluggish flow in capillary loops was evident on capillaroscopy.
Conclusion:
It had been repeatedly reported that frostbite, Raynaud's disease and diseases associated with repeated chilblains may be associated with secondary cold-induced acroosteolysis. Here, we present a case of acroosteolysis associated with brachyonychia following exposure to severe cold not mounting to frostbite.
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