La sindrome delle unghie gialle

The yellow nail syndrome is a rare condition of unknown etiopathogenesis with chronic evolution characterized by three diagnostic signs: yellow nails, idiopathic lymphoedema and respiratory diseases. The distinctive nail changes that may appear several months or years before the other principal symptoms are the following: the nails cease or almost cease growing, they become excessively curved from side to side and their cuticle is usually absent. We report the therapeutic results obtained in 9 patients affected by the yellow nail syndrome who were treated with vit. E (600-1200 mg/daily) and/or itraconazole (400 mg/daily for one week a month). Our experience, even if limited, confirms the variable efficacy of vit. E (2 cured patients of the 8 patients treated) and the successful effects of itraconazole that probably depend on faster nail growth.