Yellow Nail Syndrome With Dramatic Improvement of Nail Manifestations After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Abstract

OBJECTIVES Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is a rare disease of unknown cause characterized by the triad of yellow nails, respiratory manifestations, and lymphedema. Although several therapies for YNS have been reported, there is no common consensus in the treatment. In this case report, we present a case of 56-year-old woman with YNS, whose nail manifestation was dramatically improved after endoscopic sinus surgery for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. METHODS Endoscopic sinus surgery involving middle meatal antrostomy was performed for the case of YNS with chronic rhinosinusitis and bronchiectasis resistant to antibacterial drugs. RESULTS A month after the surgery, the patient's nails eventually showed dramatic improvement. CONCLUSIONS Otorhinolaryngologists should recognize that chronic rhinosinusitis can be a symptom of YNS, and that the aggressive treatment including surgical approach for chronic rhinosinusitis may be a useful in the control of nail manifestation in YNS.