NAIL BIOPSY TECHNIQUE

Question 1

Nail bed is usually exposed by
partial or complete nail avulsion to select site

Scissor tips avoids crush artifact

3 mm defects do not need repair

Answer 1

Punch Biopsy biopsy

Question 2

Alternative to partial or complete nail avulsion

Overlying nail plate is
perforated with a 5 ‐ 6 mm
punch without injuring the
underlying tissue

Nail plate disc is removed

3mm punch samples nail
bed lesion

Answer 2

Double Punch biopsy

Question 3

Longitudinal direction parallel to rete ridges blood vessels

Answer 3

Fusiform Nail Bed biopsy

Question 4

Tangential biopsy limits
post‐biopsy nail dystrophy

Shallow circular incision with
safety margin

Transferred from the scalpel to
filter paper

Reflected proximal nail fold
sutured

Answer 4

Pigmented Streak Biopsy

Question 5

Bleeding, infection, nerve damage, and scarring

Some scarring of the nail
matrix is typical

Most common complication

Answer 5

Surgical Nail Biopsy