Subungual schwannoma: a rare location

Dermatol Surg. 2005 May;31(5):592-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31171.

Abstract

Background: Schwannoma is a benign tumor of neural tissue and usually develops in deeper soft tissue. Cutaneous involvement is uncommon, and a subungual location is extremely rare. In fact, it has not been previously reported.

Objective: To present a case of subungual schwannoma.

Method: A 49-year-old man had a subungual tumor on his right thumb of 8 years duration. The lesion caused a mild stinging sensation in winter and grew slowly. The tumor was excised using a transungual approach. After closure, the wound was dressed with a trimmed original nail plate.

Results: The nail plate grew normally, and there was no recurrence 1 year postoperatively.

Conclusion: We describe a case of schwannoma that developed in the subungual area of a thumb. Although schwannoma rarely develops in this area, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subungual tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bone Neoplasms / complications
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology
  • Bone Neoplasms / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nails, Malformed / etiology*
  • Nails, Malformed / pathology
  • Neurilemmoma / complications
  • Neurilemmoma / diagnosis*
  • Neurilemmoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Neurilemmoma / pathology
  • Neurilemmoma / surgery
  • Radiography