Page 24 - Delaware Medical Journal July 2015
P. 24
TheWaytoa a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M Man’s Lungs Is through
His Nails: Defififififififififififififififining Yellow Nail Syndrome
Anita Modi and John F. Reinhardt, MD
IntroductionYellow nail syndrome is a
a triad of slow-growing yellowed nails, lymphedema, and pleural
1927, this condition results from impaired peripheral circulation, causing poor nail growth of the digits of the upper and lower extremities as well as hypoplastic lymph vessels. The latter of these two manifestations proves profoundly detrimental, as a pathogens from circulating blood and predisposes the patient
to recurrent infections. Indeed, the dilated lymphatic ducts and
yellow nail syndrome serve to compensate for an acquired, immunocompromised state.1 Associated infections often involve the upper respiratory tract and may thus be prematurely dismissed drainage additionally precipitates peripheral edema and pleural effusions with associated respiratory symptoms such as persistent cough and shortness of breath, for which patients usually present to their primary care physicians. The following case presentation chronicles the collaborative evaluation of a patient with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and yellow nail syndrome.
FIGURE 1
Thickened toe nails of the left foot.
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Del Med J |
July 2015
| Vol. 87
| No. 7
FIGURE 2
Yellow fingernails of the left hand.
