Nails in Need of Biopsy

Chicago - Melanonychia striata (longitudinal melanonychia) needs to be evaluated by biopsy to prove it is a benign finding rather than a sign of subungual melanoma. In order to arrive at a definitive diagnosis, the biopsy must be taken from the nail matrix from where the nail plate arises and not from the nail bed, Richard K. Scher, M.D., said at Academy '03.