ABSTRACT

Subungual exostosis (SUE) is a benign osteocartilaginous tumor which arises from distal terminal phalanx and most commonly seen in adolescent and young adult patients. Etiology of the disease is not well known but trauma, chronic irritation and chronic infections are considered as precipitating factors. X-ray and histopathological examinations are needed for diagnosis of SUE. Dermoscopy is a fast and easy method for making an early diagnosis of SUE in outpatient clinic conditions. Our patient was a 10-year-old boy who consulted us with a swelling on his first toe of the right foot for 6 months. The lesion has grown with time and become painful when walking. It was compatible with SUE on clinical and dermoscopic examination. After X-ray and histopathological examination the accurate diagnosis of SUE was established. Our patient was treated with total excision and no new lesion growth is seen in 6 months follow up period. We wanted to report this case to emphasize that SUE must be kept in mind on the differential diagnosis of multiple benign and malign nail diseases and dermoscopy can be used as a fast, cheap and useful device for the diagnostic procedure.