Onychomatricoma

Abstract

Onychomatricoma is a rare benign tumor originating in the nail matrix. Only eight cases have been reported until now. The clinical and histopathological features of this recently reported tumor will be described and its differential diagnoses outlined. A typical case of onychomatricoma is described in a 62-year-old white man. Clinically, onychomatricoma is characterized by: 1) a yellowish discoloration of a longitudinal segment of the nail plate with small splinter hemorrhages within the proximal portion of the nail; 2) a thickening with increased transversal curvature of the involved nail plate positively corresponding with the yellow discoloration; and 3) a matrix tumor consisting of multiple fine filiform projections that extend into the thickened nail plate. The treatment of onychomatricoma is complete excision of the tumor. Onychomatricoma is a new entity with clinical and histopathological features that are characteristic enough to make the correct diagnosis.