Median canaliform dystrophy of thumb and great toe nails in an 8 years old boy

Abstract

Median canaliform dystrophy is a rare nail disorder characterized by midline longitudinal ridging or splitting with canal formation in the nail plate of one or both the nails of the thumbs. It is an acquired condition that mimicks habit-tic deformity, resulting in a temporary defect in the nail matrix and cuticle. Treatment is often prolonged and unsatisfactory. Some clinicians have used topical tacrolimus (0.1%) ointment and tazarotene (0.05%) ointment successfully. We report the case of an 8-year-old boy presenting with median canaliform dystrophy of Heller affecting nails of both the thumbs and great toes, respectively.

Keywords

• median nail dystrophy
• nail matrix
• pediatric nail disorders