Surgical Gems: Biopsy of the Matrix of a Nail

Nail changes and disorders in elderly Egyptians

“…24 Biopsy of the nail unit is recommended in many cases when the diagnosis is in doubt or when definitive histopathologic diagnosis is needed before beginning therapy. 25 In our study, histopathologic picture was evident and aid in the diagnosis of various nail changes of aging (as onychorrhexis, onycholysis, and atrophy) and nail disorders (as psoriasis, lichen planus, and lichen simlex chronicus).…”

Lichen Planus of the Nail Presenting as a Tumor: Diagnosis by Longitudinal Nail Bed Biopsy

“…The longitudinal biopsy can be extended to include the nail matrix also, and this has been helpful in diagnosing acquired nail dystrophies 5 . If sampling of the nail matrix is required, a modified punch biopsy technique can also be used 6 . Attention to technique is especially important in biopsy of the nail matrix to avoid significant postoperative nail dystrophy.…”

Nail Biopsy: Indications and Methods

“…Inflammatory cutaneous disorders can cause nail bed pathology in absence of cutaneous lesions elsewhere. For example, lichen planus can present with violaceous nail bed lesions that are visible through the nail plate; psoriasis may show subungual hyperkeratosis, onycholysis, oil drop discoloration, and splinter hemorrhages 39–42 . In these cases, histopathology from a nail bed biopsy can help the physician make the correct diagnosis of the nail disorder.…”