Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia of the nail unit.

Overview

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE) is a distinctive lymphocyte rich vasoformative proliferation comprising epithelioid-appearing endothelial cells with partially canalized capillary vessels in a lymphohistiocytic and eosinophil rich environment. ALHE presents clinically as single or multiple pink-brown dome-shaped papules or nodules, most commonly on the ear and peri-auricular area, followed by the face, and scalp. ALHE involving the subungual unit is rare with only 5 previously reported cases and all involved the underlying bone. The authors describe a case of a painful subungual nodule of the left 1st fingernail in a 48-year-old woman. An excisional biopsy was performed confirming a diagnosis of ALHE. There was no bone involvement and immediately following excision of the tumor, there was complete resolution of her symptoms. Our patient's presentation expands upon the clinical and histopathological spectrum of subungual ALHE.