The microanatomic basis of finger clubbing - a high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging study.

OBJECTIVE

Hypervascularization in finger clubbing is recognized, but its microanatomical basis remains unclear. This pilot descriptive study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to explore this further.

METHODS

High-resolution MRI acquired with contrast agent was carried out in 4 patients with finger clubbing and 4 healthy volunteers. The anatomy of the nail bed, capsular structures, and bony changes were described.

RESULTS

Marked nail bed thickening and contrast enhancement was noted in all clubbed fingers, with bone edema in 3 of the 4 patients. None of the healthy subjects had similar abnormalities.

CONCLUSION

This confirms that hypervascularization of the nail bed observed in the microanatomy on high-resolution MRI is associated with clubbed appearances of the nails.