Melanonychia describes a brown or black pigmentation of the nail plate caused by the
presence of melanin. In this article, we review possible causes of melanonychia and
discuss the main problems of management of patients with this condition. The goal in the
management of melanonychia is early diagnosis of melanoma of the nail matrix and bed.
Melanoma of the nail bed is also known as subungual melanoma. We discuss clinical,
dermoscopic features that may help the clinician in choosing lesions that should have
excisional biopsy and evaluate different options for the excision. Addressing melanonychia
is still a difficult task, and the correct management of pigmented bands in children is far
from established. Dermoscopy is possibly a useful tool but the real benefit of this technique,
screening lesions to determine which ones need to be removed, remains to be
proven.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 28:49-54 © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Melanonychia describes a brown or black pigmentation of the nail plate caused by the
presence of melanin. In this article, we review possible causes of melanonychia and
discuss the main problems of management of patients with this condition. The goal in the
management of melanonychia is early diagnosis of melanoma of the nail matrix and bed.
Melanoma of the nail bed is also known as subungual melanoma. We discuss clinical,
dermoscopic features that may help the clinician in chossing lesions that should have
excisional biopsy and evaluate different options for the excision. Addressing melanonychia
is still a difficult task, and the correct management of pigmented bands in children is far
from established. Dermoscopy is possibly a useful tool but the real benefit of this technique,
screening lesions to determine which ones need to be removed, remains to be
proven.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 28:49-54 © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.