NAIL FEATURES IN LANGERHANS CELL HISTIOCYTOSIS

We report the case of an infant who presented with isolated cutaneous manifestations of Langerhans cell histiocytosis before the evolution o f systemic features. In the transition period, at 9 months of age, nai l unit changes became prominent, and persisted throughout the duration of systemic treatment. A change in clinical features coincided with a course of systemic gamma-interferon, which was given because immune p aresis was suspected. Nail unit changes are rare in Langerhans cell hi stiocytosis, and this case illustrates the range of findings, includin g paronychia, nail fold destruction, onycholysis with subungual expans ion, and nail plate loss. The significance of these changes as a progn ostic indicator is controversial.