Huge hypertrophic scar secondary to chronic ingrown toe nail mimicking tumor: A case report

A huge hypertrophic scar formation secondary to chronic ingrown toe nail mimicking tumor is a rare disease. It is not only causing concerns cosmetically, but also hindering normal daily activities physically and socially. In this paper, we present an unusual case of bilateral ingrown nails with different phases. One resulted in a large hypertrophic scar caused by stimulation from secondary to chronic ingrown nail.

A 44-year-old man with a huge mass (7 × 4 × 8.5 cm) in his right great toe and inflamed ingrown nail in his left great toe visited the clinic. The mass in the right toe showed an irregular and bizarre shape with a stellate ulcer (2 × 2 cm) at the distal end. After removing an ingrown nail 3 years ago with minor repetitive trauma, self-managed wound has grown into a tumor-like mass, resulting in intolerable discomfort. In gross appearance, a stalk appeared to originate from the lateral side of the nail bed with the ingrown nail in the great toe showing inflamed medial and lateral gutter and causing redness and tenderness. Huge hypertrophic scar formation secondary to chronic ingrown toe nail mimicking tumor is a rare disease that is not only causing a cosmetic concern, but also hindering normal daily activities physically and socially.

Excisional biopsy was performed for both great toes. Biopsy confirmed chronic ulcerative inflammation with a hypertrophic scar. The resection site healed and persisted well at 12 months after surgery.

Our unusual case suggests that the natural course of an untreated ingrown toe nail may result in hypertrophic scar extending far to mimic tumorous conditions.