Korean J Dermatol.
2011 May;49(5):480-482.
Transverse Leukonychia Associated with Hypothyroidism
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Dermatology, Eulji Hospital, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Seoul, Korea. ssjmdderma@eulji.ac.kr
Abstract
- Transverse leukonychia, also termed leukonychia striata, usually occurs in association with trauma, nutritional deficiencies, exposure to toxin, and various combinations of chemotherapy. It also has been reported to be associated with various systemic diseases, including acute infection, myocardial infarction, lymphoma, hepatic failure, renal failure, and systemic lupus erythematosus. A 50-year-old woman with several months' history of nail changes presented with multiple discrete transverse white bands involving the entire width of the nail plates of her fingers. According to the patient's medical history, she had experienced fatigue, constipation, and cold intolerance for 6 months, and antithyroid antibodies were detected before noticing these nail changes. The patient was diagnosed as having an autoimmune hypothyroidism. Repeated KOH microscopic examination did not demonstrate fungal infection. We diagnosed this case as transverse leukonychia associated with hypothyroidism. This case report underlines the possible association of transverse leukonychia with hypothyroidism.
