RHINITIS, SINUSITIS AND THE YELLOW NAIL SYNDROME - A REVIEW OF SYMPTOMS AND RESPONSE TO TREATMENT IN 17 PATIENTS

A total of 17 patients with yellow nail syndrome are described. Their symptoms, age of onset and severity are examined with particular refer ence to the presence of rhinosinusitis. Fourteen of the patients (83%) suffered severe rhinosinusitis, which pre-dated nail changes in four, coincided with yellow nails in six, and occurred later in the remaini ng patients. In general, patients responded poorly to conventional med ical and surgical treatment, with the exception of functional endoscop ic sinus surgery (FESS) which may be of value in these patients. The f requent association of rhinosinusitis with yellow nails may warrant it s recognition as part of the syndrome. Careful inspection of the finge rnails in all patients presenting with severe rhinosinusitis is warran ted.