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@article{206758,
        author = {J JAGADESWARA REDDY and Dr.Shifana Begum and Dr.K Venkata Nagendra},
        title = {IMPROVING EARLY SUBUNGUAL MELANOMA TRIAGE WITH MICRO-STRUCTURAL ONYCHOSCOPY},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {2},
        pages = {2709-2714},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=206758},
        abstract = {A linear brown finding on the nail plate, clinically known as longitudinal melanonychia (LM), poses a significant diagnostic dilemma in dermatology. While frequently resulting from benign etiologies like melanocytic activation or benign nevi, it can serve as the primary manifestation of malignant nail unit melanoma (NUM). Early-stage NUM is notoriously difficult to differentiate from benign bands, leading to delayed diagnoses and poor survival rates. This study evaluates specific dermoscopic and onychoscopic parameters to optimize the early distinction between benign and malignant linear brown findings on fingernails. A retrospective observational cohort analysis of 120 adult patients presenting with single-digit acquired longitudinal melanonychia was performed. Patients underwent clinical triage using the ABCDEF criteria, standardized digital dermoscopy, and confirmatory histopathological matrix biopsy when indicated. Malignant NUM was strongly correlated with specific early micro-structural indicators, notably structural line irregularity (irregular width, spacing, and color shades), the presence of a micro-Hutchinson sign, and granular pigmentation within the band. Regular parallel micro-lines and stable band widths were highly predictive of benign melanocytic activation or trauma.Implementing an objective micro-structural dermoscopic checklist drastically reduces diagnostic latency for subungual malignancies while minimizing unnecessary invasive nail matrix biopsies.},
        keywords = {longitudinal melanonychia, dermoscopic, onychoscopic, pathophysiology, subungual melanoma},
        month = {July},
        }