June 2018
- 71 year old male presented with a translucent papule on his index finger near the proximal nail fold
- Wart
- Digital mucous cyst
- Digital mucous cysts (DMC) are benign lesions commonly presenting as a solitary, flesh colored papule between the distal interphalangeal joint and proximal nail fold
- DMC most commonly affect the hands but toes can be involved
- When arising close to the nail, DMC can cause grooving of the nail plate or partial/complete nail loss
- Most DMC are asymptomatic but some patients may experience pain, tenderness or decreased range of motion
- Histopathology reveals acral skin with a psuedocystic space filled with mucinous material and scattered fibroblasts
- An epithelial lining is not present
- There are two types of DMC:
- Some lesions are analogous to ganglion cysts and are related to degenerative changes of the distal interphalangeal joint
- Other lesions are thought to represent a form of focal mucinosis
- DMC can resolve spontaneously but most require intervention such as excision, cryotherapy or needling for treament.
- Digital mucous cysts (DMC) are benign lesions commonly presenting as a solitary, flesh colored papule on the hands between the distal interphalangeal joint and proximal nail fold
- Histopathology reveals acral skin with a psuedocystic space filled with mucinous material and scattered fibroblasts
- There are two types of DMC:
- Some lesions are analogous to ganglion cysts and are related to degenerative changes of the distal interphalangeal joint
- Other lesions are thought to represent a form of focal mucinosis
- DMC can resolve spontaneously but most require intervention such as excision, cryotherapy or needling for treament