Titanium exposure and yellow nail syndrome

Ali Ataya; Kristopher P Kline; Jessica Cope; Hassan Alnuaimat

doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2015.10.002

Titanium exposure and yellow nail syndrome

Respir Med Case Rep. 2015 Oct 14:16:146-7. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2015.10.002. eCollection 2015.

Authors

Ali Ataya¹, Kristopher P Kline², Jessica Cope³, Hassan Alnuaimat⁴

Affiliations

¹ University of Florida, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, 1600 SW Archer Rd, P.O.Box 100225, Rm 452, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
² University of Florida, Department of Internal Medicine, USA.
³ University of Florida, Division of Pharmacy, USA.
⁴ University of Florida, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, USA.

Abstract

Yellow nail syndrome is a rare disease of unclear etiology. We describe a patient who develops yellow nail syndrome, with primary nail and sinus manifestations, shortly after amalgam dental implants. A study of the patient's nail shedding showed elevated nail titanium levels. The patient had her dental implants removed and had complete resolution of her sinus symptoms with no change in her nail findings. Since the patient's nail findings did not resolve we do not believe titanium exposure is a cause of her yellow nail syndrome but perhaps a possible relationship exists between titanium exposure and yellow nail syndrome that requires further studies.

Keywords: Amalgam implants; Chronic sinusitus; Nails; Titanium; Yellow nail syndrome; Yellow nail syndrome, (YNS).

Publication types

Case Reports