Acroosteolysis presenting with brachyonychia following exposure to cold.
BACKGROUND
A vast number of conditions ranging from simple trauma to hereditary and collagen vascular disease had been described in association with acroosteolysis.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate that severe cold exposure not mounting to frostbite may be associated with acroosteolysis.


METHODS
A 16-year-old girl with acroosteolysis presenting with brachyonychia was fully investigated for possible cause of her nail and bone deformity.


RESULTS
Lab investigations including Parathormone levels, Anti Scl 70, ANA, Anti-CCP and RF levels were all normal. X-ray imaging revealed resorption of the tufts of the terminal phalanges bilaterally. Disruption of nail fold capillaries with sluggish flow in capillary loops was evident on capillaroscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
It had been repeatedly reported that frostbite, Raynaud's disease and diseases associated with repeated chilblains may be associated with secondary cold-induced acroosteolysis. Here, we present a case of acroosteolysis associated with brachyonychia following exposure to severe cold not mounting to frostbite.
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
M H M
MH
El-Komy
Nail Disease Center, Cannes, France.
R
R
Baran
D030981:Acro-Osteolysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D002196:Capillaries / Q000473:pathology; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D050278:Finger Phalanges / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D009262:Nails / Q000098:blood supply; D011859:Radiography