title: Melanonychia: the importance of dermatoscopic examination and of nail matrix / bed observation.
abstract: Melanonychia, from the Greek mélaina, means black and is the result of an increased deposition of melanin on the nail plate, originating in the nail matrix. It may have different causes, including subungueal melanoma, making early etiologic diagnosis very important.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Dermatologia Professor Rubem David Azulay of Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Rio de Janeiro - Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. alinebilemjian@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Aline Perdiz de Jesus
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Bilemjian
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piñeiro-Maceira
authors.forename: Carlos Baptista
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Barcaui
authors.forename: Francisco Burnier
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001706:Biopsy; D046169:Dermoscopy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D009262:Nails / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*