MRCP revision battle 6.5: yellow nail syndrome

Yellow Nail Syndrome falls into that subsection of clinical conditions that is rarely relevant in real life but disproportionately prevalent in MRCP questions.  Thankfully its fairly straightforward.

Clinically:

• thick nails which are
• excessively curved from side to side and
• pale yellow. They are
• slow growing (showing uncovered bulbous fingertips) and have
• absent lunulae (the little 'moon-shaped' white bits at the base of your nails)
• onycholysis may be present

The importance from an MRCP point of view is that they are associated with:

• recurrent pleural effusions
• COPD
• bronchiectasis
• nephrotic syndrome
• hypothyroidism and 
• D penicillamine

Thats all for today.  If you fancy a quick little test on yesterday's topics, click here