Oil drop sign

Authors

  • Ankur Nandan Varshney MBBS
  • Nand Kumar Singh MD, MBBS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15305/ijrci/v2i1/86

Keywords:

nails, arthritis, psoriatic arthropathy, oil drop sign

Abstract

An 18-year-old male presented to the rheumatology clinic with a history of severe inflammatory back pain (more on left side), and pain and swelling in left shoulder, elbows, right ankle, and in right 3rd distal inter-phalangeal joint since last three months. He had been treated earlier with NSAIDS and sulfasalazine for seronegative spondlyoarthropathy; but there was no relief for pain or other symptoms. The present physical examination revealed the classical ‘oil drop sign’ and a band of erythema in the nail of the middle finger, indicating the nail changes associated with psoriatic arthritis (Fig 1). He was started on methotrexate and one month of treatment showed significant improvement in disease symptoms. The case vignette signifies the need for conducting nail examination in routine rheumatology practice.

 

References

Taurog JD. The Spondlyarthritides. Harrison’s principles of Internal Medicine. 18th ed. Mc Graw Hill; 2012: 2780-2781.

James W, Berger T, Elston D. Andrews’ Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 10th ed. Saunders; 2005: 781-782.

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Published

16-05-2014

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2014)

Section

Clinical Case Vignettes

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