Abstract
Introduction: The cause for Subungual Exostosis remains unknown, although relationships with trauma, infection and irritation have all been suggested. We report the case of a 23 year old female who developed this condition after Zadek’s procedure done for an in growing toe nail.
Case Report: A 23-year-old woman presented to us with an infected ingrowing great toenail of 1 month duration. An X-ray was performed to rule out osteomyelitis (Figures 1a and 2a), and the patient was put on oral antibiotics to control infection. 12 weeks later, the patient underwent a Zadek’s procedure with uneventful post op. recovery. However, 4 months later the patient came back with increasing pain and swelling in the operated toe. Clinically, there was a shiny nodule measuring 0.5 x 0.5cm over the dorso-medial aspect of the nail bed which was tender to touch, hard in consistency and appeared to be arising from the bone. X-ray’s confirmed it as Subungual Exostosis (Figures 1b and 2b). She successfully underwent excision of the tumour and was symptom free with no signs of recurrence at six-month follow up
Discussion: Our case highlights the fact that Subungual Exostosis may be triggered off by damage to the nail bed during surgeries for ingrowing toe nails and that extreme care must be taken during nail removal to avoid injury to the nail bed. This complication is more pronounced in the presence of pre-existing infection. Excision appears to be the treatment of choice and a biopsy report is always needed for confirmation before discharging the patient from the clinic.
Conclusion: Careful handling of nail bed is necessary during surgery and this unusual complication can be included when taking consent for Zadek’s procedure.
The abstracts were prepared by Mrs Leslie O’Leary. Correspondence should be addressed to her at British Orthopaedic Association, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE or at l.oleary@boa.ac.uk
