Dermoscopy of Onychomycosis and its Correlation with the Causative Organism

Abstract

Summary ail disorders are defined according to their appearance and the part of the nail affected (from distal to proximal): hyponychium, onychodermal band (ODB), nail bed, nail plate, lateral nail folds (perionychium), lunula (distal part of the matrix), cuticle, nail matrix and proximal nail fold. The nail is formed by the keratinous mass pressed between the nail bed and the eponychial fold and grows distally. This is very important when evaluating a treated onychmycotic nail to follow up with the prognosis and response to treatment. Nail dermoscopy is becoming more and more frequently utilized for the diagnosis of nail disorders. Dermoscopic features of nail signs are always very interesting and surprising and help in our understanding of the nails. Dermoscopy; is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging technique which allows the visualization of subtle clinical features of the skin surface and appendages details not visible to the naked eye, allowing magnifications of up to 200x. It is widely used for evaluating and diagnosing all nail diseases and should be utilized routinely, as it provides important information. As any other examination, nail dermoscopy (onychoscopy) requires a good knowledge of nail anatomy & physiology and the pathogenesis of the nail diseases: we have to know which part of the nail we have to look at. All nail disorders can be observed by dermoscopy. Dermoscopic features of nail signs are always very inking and N Summary 171 saving, and may help in understanding nails diseases. The study of the nail plate surface should be done with dry dermoscopy, since using gel covers surface abnormalities, while observation of color abnormalities requires it in other skin diseases. After a clinical and dermoscopic examination, the causative organism should be differentiated by cultural techniques.