CASE 01 • Bedside sign • FREE SAMPLE
The Fingers Tell a Story
What is the most likely spot diagnosis?
Study the morphology and distribution in the photograph before revealing the answer.
Digital clubbing
Why this fits:
Bulbous enlargement of the distal phalanges with increased nail curvature and loss of the normal nail-fold angle.
Bulbous enlargement of the distal phalanges with increased nail curvature and loss of the normal nail-fold angle.
Important differential:
Consider chronic pulmonary disease, cyanotic congenital heart disease, infective endocarditis, inflammatory bowel disease and other systemic causes.
Consider chronic pulmonary disease, cyanotic congenital heart disease, infective endocarditis, inflammatory bowel disease and other systemic causes.
Important key point:
Look for Schamroth window obliteration and search for the underlying cause; clubbing is a sign, not a final diagnosis.
Look for Schamroth window obliteration and search for the underlying cause; clubbing is a sign, not a final diagnosis.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons file page — review the file page for author, original source and licence.