Psoriasis Collection

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been advocated as therapy for several immune-mediated and autoimmune skin disorders, and side effects such as vasomotor symptoms, anaphylactic reactions, and renal failure have been well documented.1 Thrombotic complications, such as stroke and myocardial infarction, also have been documented in the neurologic and cardiologic literature but have received little notice from dermatologists.2,3 One recent report in the dermatologic literature described 2 cases of thrombotic events, including a 65-year-old woman with pemphigus vulgaris who developed an upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after receiving IVIg.4 We now report a case of thrombosis in the setting of IVIg therapy, only the fourth such case, to our knowledge, in the dermatology literature. We also review some less commonly known clinical presentations of thrombotic events associated with this therapy. 

Case Report

We were treating a 43-year-old black man who had an 18-month history of oral pemphigus vulgaris. His disease, which had been limited to the oral mucosa, had been refractory to numerous therapies including prednisone alone or with mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclosporine, and oral cyclophosphamide. His trial of cyclosporine was complicated by the development of hypertension, which necessitated oral antihypertensive medication.

After much consideration and investigation into the literature supporting the use of IVIg in refractory pemphigus vulgaris,5,6 we decided to proceed with this therapy. In the first treatment session, the patient received IVIg 40 g daily for 5 consecutive days. He experienced mild chills but otherwise tolerated the therapy well. However, no clinical benefit was observed. After further evaluation of the literature on the benefit of repeated doses of IVIg, we elected to repeat the therapy, this time using a regimen advocated by Ahmed's group.7 In the second course, which was begun 3 months after the first course, the patient received IVIg 70 g daily for 3 consecutive days, for a total dose of 2 g/kg. A complete blood count and metabolic panel on the last day of the infusion were within reference range. The patient had no notable clinical benefit after the second course of IVIg therapy.

Sixteen days after his last IVIg treatment, the patient underwent elective surgery at a local hospital for an anal fissure. The patient noted that he was particularly lethargic for the 3 days of his hospital stay, but he resumed his normal active daily routine immediately after discharge. Twenty-six days after his last IVIg treatment and 10 days after his anal surgery, he noted significant swelling and pain in his left calf that progressed over the course of several days. Thirty days after his last therapy, he was admitted to the hospital for workup of his leg swelling. A Doppler study demonstrated thrombus in the superficial femoral vein, common femoral vein, and popliteal vein. A diagnosis of DVT was made, and the patient was discharged on a therapeutic regimen of warfarin.

Comment

To our knowledge, there are only 3 reports in the dermatologic literature regarding thrombotic complications in the setting of IVIg therapy. Katz et al4 described one patient with pemphigus vulgaris who developed an upper extremity DVT and a 67-year-old woman with dermatomyositis who had a thromboembolic stroke. Bystryn et al6 also described a patient with pemphigus vulgaris who developed a mild stroke that had been attributed to hypertension.

A review of the literature regarding thrombotic complications with IVIg also revealed several other clinical scenarios of which dermatologists should be made aware. Evangelou et al8 reported a case of transverse sinus thrombosis presenting as an acute, sudden, severe headache in a 54-year-old woman who had recently received IVIg replacement therapy. Of note, the woman was known to have thrombocytosis prior to the therapy.8 In addition, Klaesson et al9 reported fatal venoocclusive disease of the liver in 11% of patients who had bone marrow transplants and were treated with IVIg; none of the transplant patients who served as controls experienced fatal venoocclusive disease of the liver. The difference was statistically significant (P=.02).9 Finally, Steinberger and Coleman10 reported a case of Anton syndrome in a patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome who was treated with IVIg. Anton syndrome is a form of cortical blindness in which the patient denies the visual impairment and may even attempt to ambulate, bumping into surrounding objects. This syndrome arises from damage to the occipital lobes, and the authors speculated that it arose in the setting of hyperviscosity, a known consequence of treatment with IVIg.10

Serial measurements of serum viscosity in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and polyneuropathy associated with IgM paraproteinemia before and after treatment with IVIg demonstrated an increase in serum viscosity, with the majority of patients having values above the upper limit of the reference range.11 In addition to the hyperviscosity created by IVIg, other possible ways IVIg can predispose patients to thrombotic complications are through vasoactive effects and generation of platelet-activating factor.12 Specifically, IVIg has been shown to cause hypotension in a rat model, and in vitro incubation of human neutrophils with IVIg has elicited generation of platelet-activating factor.12

There are many known risk factors for thrombosis including immobility, obesity, surgery, trauma, pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, malignancy, and coagulation disorders. We believe our patient's DVT can be attributed at least in part to his IVIg therapy, though certainly his 3-day period of immobility after his anal fissure surgery, along with hypertension, could have been contributing factors. Other authors have noted that periods of immobility may have predisposed their patients to thrombosis after treatment with IVIg.13

Estimates regarding the absolute risk for thrombotic complications with IVIg therapy have ranged from 3% to 5%, although this has not been well-studied.11,14 At our institution, approximately 200 individuals received a total dose of 18,000 g of IVIg in 2003. Unfortunately, no mechanism is in place to record the frequency of complications. Certainly, more information is required to ascertain the overall frequency of clotting complications after IVIg.

Given the preponderance of evidence (including one controlled study) supporting a role for IVIg in causing thrombotic events, we believe physicians should consider traditional risk factors for thrombosis, particularly surgery and immobility, as possible contraindications to treatment with IVIg. There may be some benefit in performing a workup for more subtle predispositions for thrombosis such as factor V Leiden, protein C deficiency, or protein S deficiency. Additionally, if a patient has had a thrombotic complication while being treated with IVIg, caution should be exercised before reinstating therapy.

Emerson et al15 recently reported a case involving a 33-year-old woman who had DVT while being treated with IVIg for autoimmune thrombocytopenia and Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia. Five months after the DVT, IVIg therapy was reinstated, and the patient died from a pulmonary embolism. Further studies may be needed to determine if prophylactic anticoagulation with heparin or warfarin may be needed when IVIg is used in the setting of risk factors for thrombosis. 

Conclusion

We report the fourth case of thrombotic complications occurring with IVIg in the treatment of dermatologic diseases, and we maintain that caution should be exercised in employing this treatment modality in patients who have underlying risk factors for thrombotic events. In particular, caution should be used with immobile patients and with those who need to undergo surgery or other procedures that may render them susceptible to DVT. We reported this case to the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System, and we encourage others to do the same if thrombotic complications with IVIg are encountered. 

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been advocated as therapy for several immune-mediated and autoimmune skin disorders, and side effects such as vasomotor symptoms, anaphylactic reactions, and renal failure have been well documented.1 Thrombotic complications, such as stroke and myocardial infarction, also have been documented in the neurologic and cardiologic literature but have received little notice from dermatologists.2,3 One recent report in the dermatologic literature described 2 cases of thrombotic events, including a 65-year-old woman with pemphigus vulgaris who developed an upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after receiving IVIg.4 We now report a case of thrombosis in the setting of IVIg therapy, only the fourth such case, to our knowledge, in the dermatology literature. We also review some less commonly known clinical presentations of thrombotic events associated with this therapy. 

Case Report

We were treating a 43-year-old black man who had an 18-month history of oral pemphigus vulgaris. His disease, which had been limited to the oral mucosa, had been refractory to numerous therapies including prednisone alone or with mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclosporine, and oral cyclophosphamide. His trial of cyclosporine was complicated by the development of hypertension, which necessitated oral antihypertensive medication.

After much consideration and investigation into the literature supporting the use of IVIg in refractory pemphigus vulgaris,5,6 we decided to proceed with this therapy. In the first treatment session, the patient received IVIg 40 g daily for 5 consecutive days. He experienced mild chills but otherwise tolerated the therapy well. However, no clinical benefit was observed. After further evaluation of the literature on the benefit of repeated doses of IVIg, we elected to repeat the therapy, this time using a regimen advocated by Ahmed's group.7 In the second course, which was begun 3 months after the first course, the patient received IVIg 70 g daily for 3 consecutive days, for a total dose of 2 g/kg. A complete blood count and metabolic panel on the last day of the infusion were within reference range. The patient had no notable clinical benefit after the second course of IVIg therapy.

Sixteen days after his last IVIg treatment, the patient underwent elective surgery at a local hospital for an anal fissure. The patient noted that he was particularly lethargic for the 3 days of his hospital stay, but he resumed his normal active daily routine immediately after discharge. Twenty-six days after his last IVIg treatment and 10 days after his anal surgery, he noted significant swelling and pain in his left calf that progressed over the course of several days. Thirty days after his last therapy, he was admitted to the hospital for workup of his leg swelling. A Doppler study demonstrated thrombus in the superficial femoral vein, common femoral vein, and popliteal vein. A diagnosis of DVT was made, and the patient was discharged on a therapeutic regimen of warfarin.

Comment

To our knowledge, there are only 3 reports in the dermatologic literature regarding thrombotic complications in the setting of IVIg therapy. Katz et al4 described one patient with pemphigus vulgaris who developed an upper extremity DVT and a 67-year-old woman with dermatomyositis who had a thromboembolic stroke. Bystryn et al6 also described a patient with pemphigus vulgaris who developed a mild stroke that had been attributed to hypertension.

A review of the literature regarding thrombotic complications with IVIg also revealed several other clinical scenarios of which dermatologists should be made aware. Evangelou et al8 reported a case of transverse sinus thrombosis presenting as an acute, sudden, severe headache in a 54-year-old woman who had recently received IVIg replacement therapy. Of note, the woman was known to have thrombocytosis prior to the therapy.8 In addition, Klaesson et al9 reported fatal venoocclusive disease of the liver in 11% of patients who had bone marrow transplants and were treated with IVIg; none of the transplant patients who served as controls experienced fatal venoocclusive disease of the liver. The difference was statistically significant (P=.02).9 Finally, Steinberger and Coleman10 reported a case of Anton syndrome in a patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome who was treated with IVIg. Anton syndrome is a form of cortical blindness in which the patient denies the visual impairment and may even attempt to ambulate, bumping into surrounding objects. This syndrome arises from damage to the occipital lobes, and the authors speculated that it arose in the setting of hyperviscosity, a known consequence of treatment with IVIg.10

Serial measurements of serum viscosity in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and polyneuropathy associated with IgM paraproteinemia before and after treatment with IVIg demonstrated an increase in serum viscosity, with the majority of patients having values above the upper limit of the reference range.11 In addition to the hyperviscosity created by IVIg, other possible ways IVIg can predispose patients to thrombotic complications are through vasoactive effects and generation of platelet-activating factor.12 Specifically, IVIg has been shown to cause hypotension in a rat model, and in vitro incubation of human neutrophils with IVIg has elicited generation of platelet-activating factor.12

There are many known risk factors for thrombosis including immobility, obesity, surgery, trauma, pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, malignancy, and coagulation disorders. We believe our patient's DVT can be attributed at least in part to his IVIg therapy, though certainly his 3-day period of immobility after his anal fissure surgery, along with hypertension, could have been contributing factors. Other authors have noted that periods of immobility may have predisposed their patients to thrombosis after treatment with IVIg.13

Estimates regarding the absolute risk for thrombotic complications with IVIg therapy have ranged from 3% to 5%, although this has not been well-studied.11,14 At our institution, approximately 200 individuals received a total dose of 18,000 g of IVIg in 2003. Unfortunately, no mechanism is in place to record the frequency of complications. Certainly, more information is required to ascertain the overall frequency of clotting complications after IVIg.

Given the preponderance of evidence (including one controlled study) supporting a role for IVIg in causing thrombotic events, we believe physicians should consider traditional risk factors for thrombosis, particularly surgery and immobility, as possible contraindications to treatment with IVIg. There may be some benefit in performing a workup for more subtle predispositions for thrombosis such as factor V Leiden, protein C deficiency, or protein S deficiency. Additionally, if a patient has had a thrombotic complication while being treated with IVIg, caution should be exercised before reinstating therapy.

Emerson et al15 recently reported a case involving a 33-year-old woman who had DVT while being treated with IVIg for autoimmune thrombocytopenia and Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia. Five months after the DVT, IVIg therapy was reinstated, and the patient died from a pulmonary embolism. Further studies may be needed to determine if prophylactic anticoagulation with heparin or warfarin may be needed when IVIg is used in the setting of risk factors for thrombosis. 

Conclusion

We report the fourth case of thrombotic complications occurring with IVIg in the treatment of dermatologic diseases, and we maintain that caution should be exercised in employing this treatment modality in patients who have underlying risk factors for thrombotic events. In particular, caution should be used with immobile patients and with those who need to undergo surgery or other procedures that may render them susceptible to DVT. We reported this case to the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System, and we encourage others to do the same if thrombotic complications with IVIg are encountered. 

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been advocated as therapy for several immune-mediated and autoimmune skin disorders, and side effects such as vasomotor symptoms, anaphylactic reactions, and renal failure have been well documented.1 Thrombotic complications, such as stroke and myocardial infarction, also have been documented in the neurologic and cardiologic literature but have received little notice from dermatologists.2,3 One recent report in the dermatologic literature described 2 cases of thrombotic events, including a 65-year-old woman with pemphigus vulgaris who developed an upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after receiving IVIg.4 We now report a case of thrombosis in the setting of IVIg therapy, only the fourth such case, to our knowledge, in the dermatology literature. We also review some less commonly known clinical presentations of thrombotic events associated with this therapy. 

Case Report

We were treating a 43-year-old black man who had an 18-month history of oral pemphigus vulgaris. His disease, which had been limited to the oral mucosa, had been refractory to numerous therapies including prednisone alone or with mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclosporine, and oral cyclophosphamide. His trial of cyclosporine was complicated by the development of hypertension, which necessitated oral antihypertensive medication.

After much consideration and investigation into the literature supporting the use of IVIg in refractory pemphigus vulgaris,5,6 we decided to proceed with this therapy. In the first treatment session, the patient received IVIg 40 g daily for 5 consecutive days. He experienced mild chills but otherwise tolerated the therapy well. However, no clinical benefit was observed. After further evaluation of the literature on the benefit of repeated doses of IVIg, we elected to repeat the therapy, this time using a regimen advocated by Ahmed's group.7 In the second course, which was begun 3 months after the first course, the patient received IVIg 70 g daily for 3 consecutive days, for a total dose of 2 g/kg. A complete blood count and metabolic panel on the last day of the infusion were within reference range. The patient had no notable clinical benefit after the second course of IVIg therapy.

Sixteen days after his last IVIg treatment, the patient underwent elective surgery at a local hospital for an anal fissure. The patient noted that he was particularly lethargic for the 3 days of his hospital stay, but he resumed his normal active daily routine immediately after discharge. Twenty-six days after his last IVIg treatment and 10 days after his anal surgery, he noted significant swelling and pain in his left calf that progressed over the course of several days. Thirty days after his last therapy, he was admitted to the hospital for workup of his leg swelling. A Doppler study demonstrated thrombus in the superficial femoral vein, common femoral vein, and popliteal vein. A diagnosis of DVT was made, and the patient was discharged on a therapeutic regimen of warfarin.

Comment

To our knowledge, there are only 3 reports in the dermatologic literature regarding thrombotic complications in the setting of IVIg therapy. Katz et al4 described one patient with pemphigus vulgaris who developed an upper extremity DVT and a 67-year-old woman with dermatomyositis who had a thromboembolic stroke. Bystryn et al6 also described a patient with pemphigus vulgaris who developed a mild stroke that had been attributed to hypertension.

A review of the literature regarding thrombotic complications with IVIg also revealed several other clinical scenarios of which dermatologists should be made aware. Evangelou et al8 reported a case of transverse sinus thrombosis presenting as an acute, sudden, severe headache in a 54-year-old woman who had recently received IVIg replacement therapy. Of note, the woman was known to have thrombocytosis prior to the therapy.8 In addition, Klaesson et al9 reported fatal venoocclusive disease of the liver in 11% of patients who had bone marrow transplants and were treated with IVIg; none of the transplant patients who served as controls experienced fatal venoocclusive disease of the liver. The difference was statistically significant (P=.02).9 Finally, Steinberger and Coleman10 reported a case of Anton syndrome in a patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome who was treated with IVIg. Anton syndrome is a form of cortical blindness in which the patient denies the visual impairment and may even attempt to ambulate, bumping into surrounding objects. This syndrome arises from damage to the occipital lobes, and the authors speculated that it arose in the setting of hyperviscosity, a known consequence of treatment with IVIg.10

Serial measurements of serum viscosity in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and polyneuropathy associated with IgM paraproteinemia before and after treatment with IVIg demonstrated an increase in serum viscosity, with the majority of patients having values above the upper limit of the reference range.11 In addition to the hyperviscosity created by IVIg, other possible ways IVIg can predispose patients to thrombotic complications are through vasoactive effects and generation of platelet-activating factor.12 Specifically, IVIg has been shown to cause hypotension in a rat model, and in vitro incubation of human neutrophils with IVIg has elicited generation of platelet-activating factor.12

There are many known risk factors for thrombosis including immobility, obesity, surgery, trauma, pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, malignancy, and coagulation disorders. We believe our patient's DVT can be attributed at least in part to his IVIg therapy, though certainly his 3-day period of immobility after his anal fissure surgery, along with hypertension, could have been contributing factors. Other authors have noted that periods of immobility may have predisposed their patients to thrombosis after treatment with IVIg.13

Estimates regarding the absolute risk for thrombotic complications with IVIg therapy have ranged from 3% to 5%, although this has not been well-studied.11,14 At our institution, approximately 200 individuals received a total dose of 18,000 g of IVIg in 2003. Unfortunately, no mechanism is in place to record the frequency of complications. Certainly, more information is required to ascertain the overall frequency of clotting complications after IVIg.

Given the preponderance of evidence (including one controlled study) supporting a role for IVIg in causing thrombotic events, we believe physicians should consider traditional risk factors for thrombosis, particularly surgery and immobility, as possible contraindications to treatment with IVIg. There may be some benefit in performing a workup for more subtle predispositions for thrombosis such as factor V Leiden, protein C deficiency, or protein S deficiency. Additionally, if a patient has had a thrombotic complication while being treated with IVIg, caution should be exercised before reinstating therapy.

Emerson et al15 recently reported a case involving a 33-year-old woman who had DVT while being treated with IVIg for autoimmune thrombocytopenia and Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia. Five months after the DVT, IVIg therapy was reinstated, and the patient died from a pulmonary embolism. Further studies may be needed to determine if prophylactic anticoagulation with heparin or warfarin may be needed when IVIg is used in the setting of risk factors for thrombosis. 

Conclusion

We report the fourth case of thrombotic complications occurring with IVIg in the treatment of dermatologic diseases, and we maintain that caution should be exercised in employing this treatment modality in patients who have underlying risk factors for thrombotic events. In particular, caution should be used with immobile patients and with those who need to undergo surgery or other procedures that may render them susceptible to DVT. We reported this case to the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System, and we encourage others to do the same if thrombotic complications with IVIg are encountered. 

Trachyonychia (“rough nails”) is best considered a reaction or morphologic pattern with a variety of clinical presentations and etiologies. It may involve only 1 or as many as 20 nails (20-nail dystrophy). It can be a manifestation of lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, immunoglobulin A deficiency, atopic dermatitis, and ichthyosis vulgaris. Nail matrix biopsy results and physical examination findings help in establishing the cause of this condition, though often trachyonychia is an isolated finding. When trachyonychia occurs in childhood as a manifestation of lichen planus, it tends to resolve with time. We review a case of trachyonychia, its association, its diagnostic evaluation, and treatment options.

Trachyonychia means "rough nails." This condition may involve only 1 or as many as 20 nails. It is best considered a reaction or morphologic pattern with a variety of clinical presentations and etiologies. Clinical presentations are rough nails with a sandpapered appearance and numerous small superficial pits that make the nails shiny1; onychorrhexis, onychoschizia, distal chipping, and yellow onychauxis of the great toenail; and closely arranged longitudinal ridges, distal notching, and layered splitting.2,3 Nail matrix biopsy results combined with clinical findings have linked trachyonychia with lichen planus generally,4 lichen planus in children,5 psoriasis,6 alopecia areata,7 IgA deficiency,8 atopic dermatitis,9 and ichthyosis vulgaris.10 The term 20-nail dystrophy of childhood11 refers to a trachyonychia variant likely caused by lichen planus. Some who consider the term a misnomer—in part because not all nails are necessarily involved—think that perhaps it should be abandoned.12 back to top

Case Report A 10-year-old girl presented with a 1-year history of worsening nail dystrophy. The patient had no history of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia, or other skin disease, and family history was unremarkable. Except for dystrophy and hyperkeratosis identified on nails of both hands and both feet (Figure), physical examination findings were normal. Results of a fungal nail culture were negative, and the nail matrix biopsy specimen showed a bandlike lymphocytic infiltrate in the superficial dermis, with vacuolar alteration of the basal level. The diagnosis was trachyonychia secondary to lichen planus. Daily use of flurandrenolone tape and monthly intralesional injections of triamcinolone 2.5 mg/mL did not improve this patient's condition. After 4 months of injections in the distal nail folds, she was lost to follow-up.

back to top

Comment Often, the onset of trachyonychia is insidious. The condition usually develops on all nails simultaneously. Trachyonychia also can occur on individual nails over many months. Peak age of onset is 3 to 12 years. Trachyonychia occurs, however, in multigenerational families,13 in all age groups, in twins in the United States14 and Europe,15 in both sexes, and in all ethnic groups. This condition has been associated with ichthyosis vulgaris combined with alopecia universalis,16 ungual lichen planus and alopecia areata,17 koilonychia,18 primary biliary cirrhosis,19 and vitiligo.20 In chronic graft versus host (GVH) disease, trachyonychia can be an isolated finding21 or part of a constellation of cutaneous symptoms.22 It may be associated with dystrophy, atrophy, and, often, ulceration of the lunula.23 In the proper setting, the nail findings and clinical presentation of chronic GVH disease can resemble those of dyskeratosis congentia.24 A mother and her 7-year-old daughter with chronic GVH disease had balanced translocation 46, XX, t(6q13;10p13).25 A 15-year-old white boy with chronic GVH disease had recurrent episodes of immune thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and mild depression of immunoglobulin levels.26

Nail matrix biopsy results and physical examination findings help in establishing the cause of trachyonychia, though this condition often is an isolated finding.27 In the case of lichen planus,28 some patients also have flat polished purple papules on the body and white lacy or reticulated plaques in the mouth.29 Nail biopsy specimens can show hyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, and acanthosis in the ventral portion of the proximal nail fold and in the nail matrix; a bandlike lymphocytic infiltrate in the superficial dermis; and vacuolar alterations in the basal layer. Nail abnormalities can develop in 1% to 10% of patients with lichen planus.30 In the case of psoriasis, psoriasiform plaques sometimes develop on other body areas, and nail biopsy specimens can show psoriasis evidence such as psoriasiform hyperplasia and neutrophils. In the case of atopic dermatitis, spongiosis31 (intercellular edema of the epidermis) also can occur in nail matrix biopsy specimens.32 In the case of alopecia areata, lymphocytes can be present in the nail matrix, patches of nonscarring alopecia can develop on the scalp, and nail pits can develop in a gridlike pattern (giving a pounded brass appearance) on the nail plates. Evaluation of trachyonychia should include a check for fungus—a fungal culture or periodic acid–Schiff staining of a nail clipping. Some authors have suggested that longitudinal nail biopsy may be a useful diagnostic tool in certain cases of acquired nail dystrophy.33

Hazelrigg et al11 stated that trachyonychia is self-limited and self-resolving in children. Specifically, trachyonychia tends to resolve with time when it occurs in childhood as a manifestation of lichen planus. Rarely, there is nail destruction in 20-nail dystrophy. If destruction occurs, the diagnosis is lichen planus—a form not restricted to the proximal nail fold but extended to the matrix. If the matrix is involved in lichen planus, a pterygium can develop—a manifestation rarely seen in 20-nail dystrophy.

Treatments for trachyonychia include intralesional injections of triamcinolone 2.5 to 3 mg/mL into the proximal nail folds.2,34 Injections are painful and thus difficult in children. Medications for systemic treatment include prednisolone,35 antimalarials,36 and etretinate.37 Seven-month therapy with topical psoralen and UVA light is reported effective.38 In treating psoriatic nail disease, topical 5-fluorouracil39 and cyclosporine40 are useful. Clear nail hardeners can be applied to nails to improve their appearance.

In a study of 15 children, intramuscularly injected triamcinolone acetonide 0.5 to 1 mg/kg per month was prescribed for children with typical nail lichen planus.41 Therapy duration was increased from 3 to 6 months, until the proximal half of the nail was normal. No treatment was prescribed for patients with 20-nail dystrophy or idiopathic atrophy of the nails. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids was effective in curing typical nail lichen planus. For 2 children, the disease recurred during follow-up. Recurrences were always responsive to therapy. Two children with 20-nail dystrophy improved without any therapy. Nail lesions caused by idiopathic atrophy of the nails remained unchanged during follow-up.

Trachyonychia and 20-nail dystrophy continue to present difficulties in classification, diagnosis, and treatment. With the advent of new immunomodulators, it is hoped that more effective treatments will be developed. Prompt diagnosis of these conditions aids in patient education and therapy. back to top

Trachyonychia (“rough nails”) is best considered a reaction or morphologic pattern with a variety of clinical presentations and etiologies. It may involve only 1 or as many as 20 nails (20-nail dystrophy). It can be a manifestation of lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, immunoglobulin A deficiency, atopic dermatitis, and ichthyosis vulgaris. Nail matrix biopsy results and physical examination findings help in establishing the cause of this condition, though often trachyonychia is an isolated finding. When trachyonychia occurs in childhood as a manifestation of lichen planus, it tends to resolve with time. We review a case of trachyonychia, its association, its diagnostic evaluation, and treatment options.

Trachyonychia means "rough nails." This condition may involve only 1 or as many as 20 nails. It is best considered a reaction or morphologic pattern with a variety of clinical presentations and etiologies. Clinical presentations are rough nails with a sandpapered appearance and numerous small superficial pits that make the nails shiny1; onychorrhexis, onychoschizia, distal chipping, and yellow onychauxis of the great toenail; and closely arranged longitudinal ridges, distal notching, and layered splitting.2,3 Nail matrix biopsy results combined with clinical findings have linked trachyonychia with lichen planus generally,4 lichen planus in children,5 psoriasis,6 alopecia areata,7 IgA deficiency,8 atopic dermatitis,9 and ichthyosis vulgaris.10 The term 20-nail dystrophy of childhood11 refers to a trachyonychia variant likely caused by lichen planus. Some who consider the term a misnomer—in part because not all nails are necessarily involved—think that perhaps it should be abandoned.12 back to top

Case Report A 10-year-old girl presented with a 1-year history of worsening nail dystrophy. The patient had no history of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia, or other skin disease, and family history was unremarkable. Except for dystrophy and hyperkeratosis identified on nails of both hands and both feet (Figure), physical examination findings were normal. Results of a fungal nail culture were negative, and the nail matrix biopsy specimen showed a bandlike lymphocytic infiltrate in the superficial dermis, with vacuolar alteration of the basal level. The diagnosis was trachyonychia secondary to lichen planus. Daily use of flurandrenolone tape and monthly intralesional injections of triamcinolone 2.5 mg/mL did not improve this patient's condition. After 4 months of injections in the distal nail folds, she was lost to follow-up.

back to top

Comment Often, the onset of trachyonychia is insidious. The condition usually develops on all nails simultaneously. Trachyonychia also can occur on individual nails over many months. Peak age of onset is 3 to 12 years. Trachyonychia occurs, however, in multigenerational families,13 in all age groups, in twins in the United States14 and Europe,15 in both sexes, and in all ethnic groups. This condition has been associated with ichthyosis vulgaris combined with alopecia universalis,16 ungual lichen planus and alopecia areata,17 koilonychia,18 primary biliary cirrhosis,19 and vitiligo.20 In chronic graft versus host (GVH) disease, trachyonychia can be an isolated finding21 or part of a constellation of cutaneous symptoms.22 It may be associated with dystrophy, atrophy, and, often, ulceration of the lunula.23 In the proper setting, the nail findings and clinical presentation of chronic GVH disease can resemble those of dyskeratosis congentia.24 A mother and her 7-year-old daughter with chronic GVH disease had balanced translocation 46, XX, t(6q13;10p13).25 A 15-year-old white boy with chronic GVH disease had recurrent episodes of immune thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and mild depression of immunoglobulin levels.26

Nail matrix biopsy results and physical examination findings help in establishing the cause of trachyonychia, though this condition often is an isolated finding.27 In the case of lichen planus,28 some patients also have flat polished purple papules on the body and white lacy or reticulated plaques in the mouth.29 Nail biopsy specimens can show hyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, and acanthosis in the ventral portion of the proximal nail fold and in the nail matrix; a bandlike lymphocytic infiltrate in the superficial dermis; and vacuolar alterations in the basal layer. Nail abnormalities can develop in 1% to 10% of patients with lichen planus.30 In the case of psoriasis, psoriasiform plaques sometimes develop on other body areas, and nail biopsy specimens can show psoriasis evidence such as psoriasiform hyperplasia and neutrophils. In the case of atopic dermatitis, spongiosis31 (intercellular edema of the epidermis) also can occur in nail matrix biopsy specimens.32 In the case of alopecia areata, lymphocytes can be present in the nail matrix, patches of nonscarring alopecia can develop on the scalp, and nail pits can develop in a gridlike pattern (giving a pounded brass appearance) on the nail plates. Evaluation of trachyonychia should include a check for fungus—a fungal culture or periodic acid–Schiff staining of a nail clipping. Some authors have suggested that longitudinal nail biopsy may be a useful diagnostic tool in certain cases of acquired nail dystrophy.33

Hazelrigg et al11 stated that trachyonychia is self-limited and self-resolving in children. Specifically, trachyonychia tends to resolve with time when it occurs in childhood as a manifestation of lichen planus. Rarely, there is nail destruction in 20-nail dystrophy. If destruction occurs, the diagnosis is lichen planus—a form not restricted to the proximal nail fold but extended to the matrix. If the matrix is involved in lichen planus, a pterygium can develop—a manifestation rarely seen in 20-nail dystrophy.

Treatments for trachyonychia include intralesional injections of triamcinolone 2.5 to 3 mg/mL into the proximal nail folds.2,34 Injections are painful and thus difficult in children. Medications for systemic treatment include prednisolone,35 antimalarials,36 and etretinate.37 Seven-month therapy with topical psoralen and UVA light is reported effective.38 In treating psoriatic nail disease, topical 5-fluorouracil39 and cyclosporine40 are useful. Clear nail hardeners can be applied to nails to improve their appearance.

In a study of 15 children, intramuscularly injected triamcinolone acetonide 0.5 to 1 mg/kg per month was prescribed for children with typical nail lichen planus.41 Therapy duration was increased from 3 to 6 months, until the proximal half of the nail was normal. No treatment was prescribed for patients with 20-nail dystrophy or idiopathic atrophy of the nails. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids was effective in curing typical nail lichen planus. For 2 children, the disease recurred during follow-up. Recurrences were always responsive to therapy. Two children with 20-nail dystrophy improved without any therapy. Nail lesions caused by idiopathic atrophy of the nails remained unchanged during follow-up.

Trachyonychia and 20-nail dystrophy continue to present difficulties in classification, diagnosis, and treatment. With the advent of new immunomodulators, it is hoped that more effective treatments will be developed. Prompt diagnosis of these conditions aids in patient education and therapy. back to top

Trachyonychia (“rough nails”) is best considered a reaction or morphologic pattern with a variety of clinical presentations and etiologies. It may involve only 1 or as many as 20 nails (20-nail dystrophy). It can be a manifestation of lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, immunoglobulin A deficiency, atopic dermatitis, and ichthyosis vulgaris. Nail matrix biopsy results and physical examination findings help in establishing the cause of this condition, though often trachyonychia is an isolated finding. When trachyonychia occurs in childhood as a manifestation of lichen planus, it tends to resolve with time. We review a case of trachyonychia, its association, its diagnostic evaluation, and treatment options.

Trachyonychia means "rough nails." This condition may involve only 1 or as many as 20 nails. It is best considered a reaction or morphologic pattern with a variety of clinical presentations and etiologies. Clinical presentations are rough nails with a sandpapered appearance and numerous small superficial pits that make the nails shiny1; onychorrhexis, onychoschizia, distal chipping, and yellow onychauxis of the great toenail; and closely arranged longitudinal ridges, distal notching, and layered splitting.2,3 Nail matrix biopsy results combined with clinical findings have linked trachyonychia with lichen planus generally,4 lichen planus in children,5 psoriasis,6 alopecia areata,7 IgA deficiency,8 atopic dermatitis,9 and ichthyosis vulgaris.10 The term 20-nail dystrophy of childhood11 refers to a trachyonychia variant likely caused by lichen planus. Some who consider the term a misnomer—in part because not all nails are necessarily involved—think that perhaps it should be abandoned.12 back to top

Case Report A 10-year-old girl presented with a 1-year history of worsening nail dystrophy. The patient had no history of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia, or other skin disease, and family history was unremarkable. Except for dystrophy and hyperkeratosis identified on nails of both hands and both feet (Figure), physical examination findings were normal. Results of a fungal nail culture were negative, and the nail matrix biopsy specimen showed a bandlike lymphocytic infiltrate in the superficial dermis, with vacuolar alteration of the basal level. The diagnosis was trachyonychia secondary to lichen planus. Daily use of flurandrenolone tape and monthly intralesional injections of triamcinolone 2.5 mg/mL did not improve this patient's condition. After 4 months of injections in the distal nail folds, she was lost to follow-up.

back to top

Comment Often, the onset of trachyonychia is insidious. The condition usually develops on all nails simultaneously. Trachyonychia also can occur on individual nails over many months. Peak age of onset is 3 to 12 years. Trachyonychia occurs, however, in multigenerational families,13 in all age groups, in twins in the United States14 and Europe,15 in both sexes, and in all ethnic groups. This condition has been associated with ichthyosis vulgaris combined with alopecia universalis,16 ungual lichen planus and alopecia areata,17 koilonychia,18 primary biliary cirrhosis,19 and vitiligo.20 In chronic graft versus host (GVH) disease, trachyonychia can be an isolated finding21 or part of a constellation of cutaneous symptoms.22 It may be associated with dystrophy, atrophy, and, often, ulceration of the lunula.23 In the proper setting, the nail findings and clinical presentation of chronic GVH disease can resemble those of dyskeratosis congentia.24 A mother and her 7-year-old daughter with chronic GVH disease had balanced translocation 46, XX, t(6q13;10p13).25 A 15-year-old white boy with chronic GVH disease had recurrent episodes of immune thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and mild depression of immunoglobulin levels.26

Nail matrix biopsy results and physical examination findings help in establishing the cause of trachyonychia, though this condition often is an isolated finding.27 In the case of lichen planus,28 some patients also have flat polished purple papules on the body and white lacy or reticulated plaques in the mouth.29 Nail biopsy specimens can show hyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, and acanthosis in the ventral portion of the proximal nail fold and in the nail matrix; a bandlike lymphocytic infiltrate in the superficial dermis; and vacuolar alterations in the basal layer. Nail abnormalities can develop in 1% to 10% of patients with lichen planus.30 In the case of psoriasis, psoriasiform plaques sometimes develop on other body areas, and nail biopsy specimens can show psoriasis evidence such as psoriasiform hyperplasia and neutrophils. In the case of atopic dermatitis, spongiosis31 (intercellular edema of the epidermis) also can occur in nail matrix biopsy specimens.32 In the case of alopecia areata, lymphocytes can be present in the nail matrix, patches of nonscarring alopecia can develop on the scalp, and nail pits can develop in a gridlike pattern (giving a pounded brass appearance) on the nail plates. Evaluation of trachyonychia should include a check for fungus—a fungal culture or periodic acid–Schiff staining of a nail clipping. Some authors have suggested that longitudinal nail biopsy may be a useful diagnostic tool in certain cases of acquired nail dystrophy.33

Hazelrigg et al11 stated that trachyonychia is self-limited and self-resolving in children. Specifically, trachyonychia tends to resolve with time when it occurs in childhood as a manifestation of lichen planus. Rarely, there is nail destruction in 20-nail dystrophy. If destruction occurs, the diagnosis is lichen planus—a form not restricted to the proximal nail fold but extended to the matrix. If the matrix is involved in lichen planus, a pterygium can develop—a manifestation rarely seen in 20-nail dystrophy.

Treatments for trachyonychia include intralesional injections of triamcinolone 2.5 to 3 mg/mL into the proximal nail folds.2,34 Injections are painful and thus difficult in children. Medications for systemic treatment include prednisolone,35 antimalarials,36 and etretinate.37 Seven-month therapy with topical psoralen and UVA light is reported effective.38 In treating psoriatic nail disease, topical 5-fluorouracil39 and cyclosporine40 are useful. Clear nail hardeners can be applied to nails to improve their appearance.

In a study of 15 children, intramuscularly injected triamcinolone acetonide 0.5 to 1 mg/kg per month was prescribed for children with typical nail lichen planus.41 Therapy duration was increased from 3 to 6 months, until the proximal half of the nail was normal. No treatment was prescribed for patients with 20-nail dystrophy or idiopathic atrophy of the nails. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids was effective in curing typical nail lichen planus. For 2 children, the disease recurred during follow-up. Recurrences were always responsive to therapy. Two children with 20-nail dystrophy improved without any therapy. Nail lesions caused by idiopathic atrophy of the nails remained unchanged during follow-up.

Trachyonychia and 20-nail dystrophy continue to present difficulties in classification, diagnosis, and treatment. With the advent of new immunomodulators, it is hoped that more effective treatments will be developed. Prompt diagnosis of these conditions aids in patient education and therapy. back to top