Retronychia is a rare form of proximal incarnation of the nail plate, responsible for inflammation of the proximal suprungual fold. This little-known pathology is often found in the feet, and is often underdiagnosed. We report two new cases of this onychopathy, with an atypical location and mechanism of occurrence.
A 24-year-old patient presented for 2 months a chronic paronychia of the proximal fold of the nail of the 3rd left finger, hindering the daily activities of the young soldier. The examination found a painful proximal perionyxis on the pressure of the 2nd finger of the left hand with nail dystrophy and greenish brown coloring of the nail with no nail growth for 6 months (Figure 1). The questioning revealed the notion of a trauma to the same finger during a fight with the notion of a tendon sprain and wearing of an immobilization splint for 21 days, 3 months before his consultation in our department. Surgical avulsion of the affected nail was performed, confirming the diagnosis of retronychia by identifying 2 overlapping nails.
A 56-year-old woman, with no notable medical history, consulted for localized pain in the lateral fold of the left big toe which had been evolving for four months. The interrogation found a notion of repetitive strain injuries from wearing tight shoes and an absence of growth of the affected nail for over than 8 months. The examination revealed a painful proximal perionyxis of the left big toe, with oozing through the suprungual fold (Figure 1). Surgical avulsion of the nail was performed confirming the diagnosis and allowing complete healing.
Retronychia is a rare pathology but which should remain in our minds, only surgical treatment is effective.
Nil.
All authors' contributed equally.
Figure 1: Nail dystrophy and greenish brown coloring of the nail with no nail growth for 6 months.