Periungual hyperpigmentation mimicking Hutchinson's sign associated with minocycline administration

J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1988 Sep;14(9):1011-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.1988.tb03739.x.

Abstract

An assessment of the occurrence rate of periungual hyperpigmentation with subungual melanoma (Hutchinson's sign) and periungual hyperpigmentation with other subungual lesions has not been published, although periungual hyperpigmentation with a pigmented streak or other pigmented lesion of the nail has been considered pathognomonic for subungual melanoma for a century. We report a case of minocycline hyperpigmentation presenting as a longitudinal pigmented streak of the nail associated with periungual hyperpigmentation. These pigmentary changes could be mistaken for Hutchinson's sign.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / diagnosis*
  • Minocycline / adverse effects*
  • Nail Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Pigmentation Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Pigmentation Disorders / diagnosis
  • Tetracyclines / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Tetracyclines
  • Minocycline