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Vol. 109. Issue 5.
Pages e33-e36 (June 2018)
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Vol. 109. Issue 5.
Pages e33-e36 (June 2018)
e- Case Report
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Iso-Kikuchi Syndrome: Report of 3 Pediatric Cases
Síndrome de Iso-Kikuchi: 3 casos en la edad pediátrica
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L.L. Tirelli
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lucianatirelli@yahoo.com.ar

Corresponding author.
, P.C. Luna, R. Cano, J.P. Giraldo, M. Larralde
Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Alemán, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2018;109:38710.1016/j.adengl.2017.10.025
J. del Boz
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Table 1. Cases Presented.
Table 2. Cases Published in the Literature.
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Abstract

Iso-Kikuchi syndrome, or congenital onychodysplasia of the index finger, is an uncommon condition characterized by total anonychia or dysplasia of the nail of the index finger. It is occasionally accompanied by underlying bone abnormalities and is rarely associated with other conditions. Although various hypotheses have been put forward to explain the pathophysiology of the syndrome, its etiology remains unknown.

We report the cases of 3 pediatric patients (2 boys and 1 girl) with nail changes and bone abnormalities consistent with Iso-Kikuchi syndrome. We highlight the importance of recognizing this entity early to avoid the need for additional tests and unnecessary treatment.

Keywords:
Iso-Kikuchi
Anonychia
Nail
Index finger
Phalanx
Resumen

El síndrome de Iso-Kikuchi, onicodisplasia congénita del dedo índice, es una entidad poco frecuente caracterizada por la anoniquia total o displasia de la uña del dedo índice, acompañado, en algunas ocasiones, de alteraciones óseas subyacentes, por lo general, en ausencia de otras anomalías. Si bien se han planteado distintas hipótesis fisiopatogénicas, la etiología sigue siendo desconocida.

Describimos los casos de 3 pacientes pediátricos, 2 varones y una niña, con alteraciones ungueales y óseas compatibles con el síndrome de Iso-Kikuchi. Destacamos la importancia de reconocer esta entidad tempranamente para evitar la realización de estudios complementarios y terapéuticas innecesarias.

Palabras clave:
Iso-Kikuchi
Anoniquia
Uña
Dedo índice
Falange
Full Text
Introduction

Iso-Kikuchi syndrome is characterized by anonychia or onychodysplasia of the index finger, accompanied or not by underlying bone abnormalities. It is a benign condition that is not associated with alterations to other organs or systems. Very few cases have been reported to date.

Case Descriptions

Two boys and 1 girl presented with Iso-Kikuchi syndrome for the first time between the ages of 2 and 4 years.

Patient #1, a 2-year-old boy, had bilateral index finger involvement and a Y-shaped deformity of the underlying phalanx (Fig. 1). His past medical history was remarkable for extreme preterm birth (30 weeks), which is why we have included other diseases associated with this condition in Table 1.

Figure 1.

Patient #1. Note the micronychia on the radial side of both index fingers.

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Table 1.

Cases Presented.

Patient 
Sex  Male  Female  Male 
Age  2 y  4 y  2 y 
Perinatal history  Born at 30 wk; nail changes present at birth  Term delivery; nail changes present at birth  Term delivery; nail changes present at birth 
Digit involved  Both index fingers  Left index finger  Both index fingers 
Appearance of other nail  Micronychia on radial side  Micronychia on radial and ulnar sides  One finger with polyonychia, dystrophic homolateral finger 
Radiographic changes  Bilateral Y-shaped deformity  Y-shaped deformity in affected finger  None 
Other alterations  Grade 3 intraventricular hemorrhage, bilateral inguinal bleeding, bilateral pelviureteric junction stenosis  None  Gastroesophageal reflux 
Family history  No  No  No 

Patient #2, a 4-year-old girl, had involvement of the left index finger and a Y-shaped bifurcation of the affected phalanx (Fig. 2).

Figure 2.

Patient #2. Unilateral involvement of the left index finger with micronychia on the ulnar and radial sides of the nail bed. The rest of the nails are unaltered.

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Patient #3 was 2 years old and had bilateral index finger involvement (Fig. 3) without radiographic changes (Table 1).

Figure 3.

Patient #3. Polyonychia of the left index finger and nail dystrophy of the right index finger.

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None of the patients’ relatives had Iso-Kikuchi syndrome. All the parents denied consanguinity and reported that their children's nail alterations had been present since birth.

Discussion

Iso-Kikuchi syndrome was first described by Dr. Iso in 1969 and Dr. Kikuchi in 1974,1–3 and very few cases have been reported since (Table 2). It affects both sexes equally and can be sporadic or familial.

Table 2.

Cases Published in the Literature.

Publication  Reference  No. of Patients  Age  Sex  Characteristics  Other 
Di Chiacchio et al.  13 y  Not specified  Micronychia and altered lunula of right index finger
Micronychia, malalignment, and irregular lunula of left index finger 
No 
Valerio et al.  Neonate  Not specified  Complete anonychia of left middle finger  Mother: consumption of mebendazole during pregnancy 
Baran & Stroud  41 y  Male  Hemionychogryphosis of right and left index fingers and abnormal lunula  No 
Hussein et al.  52 y  Female  Ulnar micronychia of both index fingers  Leukonychia of both hands 
Thappa & Shivaswamy  20 y  Male  Polyonychia of right index finger  No 
Iso           
Kikuchi et al.  5 y
29 y 
Female
Female 
Polyonychia of right and left index fingers and absent lunulae
Polyonychia of left index finger; hemionychogryphosis of contralateral nail 
Radiography: narrowing of distal phalanx of both index fingers, brachymesophalangy of thumbs
Radiography: brachymesophalangy of both thumbs 
Kikuchi et al.  24 y
4 mo 
Female
Female 
Ulnar micronychia of both index fingers
Polyonychia of left index finger 
Radiography: Y-shaped bifurcation
Radiography: hypoplasia of underlying phalanx 

Iso-Kikuchi syndrome runs an indolent course that is characterized by anonychia or onychodysplasia of the index finger possibly accompanied by bone abnormalities in the underlying phalanx.4 It can affect one or both hands or feet. Based on their observations and analysis of different clinical cases, Baran and Stroud5 proposed the following diagnostic criteria for Iso-Kikuchi syndrome: 1) unilateral or bilateral hypoplasia (up to complete anonychia) of the index finger and/or other fingers or toes, 2) radiographic changes in the distal phalanx of the affected digit; and 3) sporadic or hereditary congenital occurrence. Transmission of Iso-Kikuchi syndrome is autosomal dominant. No associations with systemic diseases have been reported.4,5

Onychodysplasia has multiple presentations (Table 2), the most common of which are anonychia, micronychia (characteristic deviation of the nail to the ulnar side of the nail bed),6polyonychia (2 nails, 1 on each side of the nail bed), hemionychogryphosis, irregular lunula, and nail malalignment.

Narrowing of the distal phalanx is a characteristic radiographic finding, but it is not always present. This narrowing will be seen on anteroposterior radiographs, whereas lateral projections will show the corresponding Y-shaped bifurcation.3–8 Other, less common, bone changes include brachydactyly, brachymesophalangia, and brachymetacarpia.7,8

The etiologic and pathogenic mechanisms of Iso-Kikuchi syndrome are not fully understood, and while several theories have been put forward, none of them have been fully accepted. Notable causes are mutations in the Wnt signaling pathway during embryogenesis, in utero damage to arterioles that depend on the radial artery (which has a smaller diameter than the ulnar artery), osteodystrophy of the phalanx during embryogenesis, and consumption of teratogenic drugs (anticonvulsants) during pregnancy.4

Diagnosis is mostly clinical. Iso-Kikuchi syndrome should be suspected in patients with congenital nail changes affecting one or both index fingers in the absence of other hand alterations, particularly when characteristic radiographic alterations are observed. The differential diagnosis should include other congenital nail changes, such as ectodermal dysplasia, pachyonychia congenita, nail-patella syndrome, and deafness-onychodystrophy syndrome. Although nail changes are present from an early age in all these diseases, they have distinctive clinical characteristics and are often accompanied by extracutaneous alterations. The differential diagnosis may also include acquired nail changes due to trauma or infection, but these can be distinguished by their postnatal onset.

Iso-Kikuchi syndrome is a rare, benign syndrome with characteristic clinical features. We have presented 3 new pediatric cases and highlight the importance of early recognition to avoid the need for unnecessary tests and treatment.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgments

We thank Bruno Mentasti for his help with editing the photographs.

References
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R. Iso.
Congenital nail defects of the index finger and reconstructive surgery.
Seikei Geka, 20 (1969), pp. 1383-1384
[2]
I. Kikuchi, S. Horikawa, F. Amano.
Congenital onychodysplasia of the index fingers.
Arch Dermatol, 110 (1974), pp. 743-746
[3]
N. Di Chiacchio, J.C. Jasso-Olivares, N.G. di Chiacchio, J.A. Jacinto, M.V. Restrepo.
Syndrome in question.
An Bras Dermatol, 90 (2015), pp. 423-425
[4]
E. Valerio, F. Favot, I. Mattei, M. Cutrone.
Congenital isolated Iso-Kikuchi syndrome in a newborn.
Clin Case Rep, 3 (2015), pp. 866-869
[5]
R. Baran, J.D. Stroud.
Congenital onychodysplasia of the index fingers-Iso and Kikuchi syndrome.
Arch Dermatol, 120 (1984), pp. 243-244
[6]
I. Kikuchi, Y. Ishi, M. Idemori, K. Ogata.
Congenital nail defects of the index finger. A possible explanation of radially pronounced involvement of the nail in this disorder.
J Dermatol, 8 (1981), pp. 145-149
[7]
T.P. Hussein, H.R.C. Brandt, T.V.B. Gabbi, M.M.S. Nico.
Malformations of the index nails.
Clin Exp Dermatol, 34 (2008), pp. 890-891
[8]
D.M. Thappa, K.N. Shivaswamy.
Polyonychia in Congenital onychodysplasia of the Index Finger (Iso and Kikuchi Syndrome): A Report from India.
J Dermatol, 29 (2002), pp. 603-605

Please cite this article as: Tirelli LL, Luna PC, Cano R, Giraldo JP, Larralde M. Síndrome de Iso-Kikuchi: 3 casos en la edad pediátrica. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2018;109:e33–e36.

Copyright © 2017. Elsevier España, S.L.U. and AEDV
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