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Uncovering subtle nail involvement in lichen planus with dermoscopy: a prospective, controlled study
1Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, Turkey.
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii
|August 15, 2020
Summary
Dermoscopy reveals subtle nail changes in lichen planus patients, with findings like splinter hemorrhages and leukonychia being significantly more common. This aids in early diagnosis and preventing permanent nail damage.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Nail Diseases
- Dermoscopy
Background:
- Limited studies exist on dermoscopic nail findings in lichen planus.
- Previous research focused only on clinically apparent nail changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify subtle dermoscopic nail abnormalities in lichen planus patients.
- To increase understanding of nail involvement in lichen planus.
Main Methods:
- Dermoscopic examination of fingernails in 40 lichen planus patients and 40 healthy controls.
- Statistical analysis using Chi-square test to compare findings between groups.
Main Results:
- 82.5% of lichen planus patients showed dermoscopic nail findings versus 17.5% of controls.
- Statistically significant findings in patients included splinter hemorrhages, leukonychia, longitudinal erythronychia, prominent hyponychial vascular structures, and onycholysis.
- Dilated hyponychial vascular structures were a novel finding in lichen planus.
Conclusions:
- Lichen planus frequently involves nails, often with subtle dermoscopic signs.
- Dermoscopy is crucial for early diagnosis and management of nail lichen planus.
- Early detection can prevent irreversible nail damage.
