Median canaliform dystrophy of Heller

Abstract

Median Canaliform Dystrophy of Heller is characterized by midline longitudinal furrow with multiple transverse parallel lines. Repetitive trauma to the nail plate and cuticle may be responsible for some cases, however some case reports have suggested familial occurrence and use of oral retinoids in its causation. We present a special case of Median Canaliform Dystrophy of Heller in middle age Chinese male and discuss the possibility cause in our case. Median Canaliform Dystrophy of Heller case occurred in Chinese patient that has no special related diseases and it resolved simultaneously and happened again.

Median nail dystrophy of Heller – A rare case report

“…Median nail dystrophy (MND) also known as "Dystrophiaunguis mediana canali formis," "Median canaliform dystrophy of Heller" [2] consists of longitudinal splitting or canal formation in the midline of the nail, a split which often resembles a fir tree, occurring at the cuticle and proceeding outward as the nail grows [2]. The cause of median nail dystrophy of Heller is unknown, but it is certainly due to some temporary defects in the matrix, interfering with nail formation or trauma has been implicated as a causative factor [3,4]. Sometimes intentional trauma in the form of pushing back of cuticle and proximal nail fold (habitual tic-Habitual picking of the nail base) is hypothesized in its pathogenesis [5].…”