Blue nevus of the nail apparatus: a case report

Blue nail dyschromia has several differential diagnoses. Lesion growth, associated nail dystrophy, and nail extension require evaluation for surgical excision. We report the case of a 27-year-old woman presenting a bluish, semicircular stain, occupying about 50% of the lunula. The patient presented no changes in the overlying lamina, small alteration of the distal nail portion, localized onychoschizia-type layers, and no previous trauma or bleeding history. We performed partial avulsion of the plaque and shave biopsy, evidencing an intensely pigmented lesion. Histopathological examination was compatible with blue nevus. In this case, the nevus should be located in the sub-matricial position, thus not interfering with the nail plate color.

Keywords: Nevus, Blue; Nail diseases; Surgical procedures, Minor; Ambulatory surgical procedures; Nevus, pigmented; Skin neoplasms