Fascinating images show a tiny nail growing on top of another nail on a Pakistani man’s middle finger.
The 28-year-old, whose name is unknown, complained of pain from the strange growth and sought medical advice.
Doctors were baffled at first, but eventually found the bizarre lump was made of keratin – the tough protein in nails.
The 28-year-old, whose name is unknown, complained of pain from the strange growth and sought medical advice
The team in Bahawalpur, in the east of the Asian country, were astounded by the case and published it in medical literature.
Writing in the International Journal of Surgery Open, they described the double fingernail as an ‘extremely rare entity’.
They added that double nail of the toes – which they said were more common – have ‘only described four times before in literature’.
‘Most cases are incidentally detected and only few patients seek help because they have discomfort and pain or cosmetic reasons,’ they wrote.
Doctors were baffled at first, but eventually found the bizarre lump was made of keratin – the tough protein in nails
Dr Muhammad Afzal Randhawa, from Bahawal Victoria Hospital – 410 miles (660km) south of the capital Islamabad, treated the patient.
They explained how he complained of pain when he was working – but it is unsure what his job was. He also showed ‘cosmetic concerns’.
However, there was no history of any trauma or infection, which doctors suggested could have signalled another cause of the growth.
The patient explained how his GP was unable to make a diagnosis, which led to him seeking help from specialists at the hospital.
Dr Randhawa and colleagues confirmed it was an accessory nails after tests showed it was made of keratin and was inseparable from the nail bed.
Surgeons then removed the nail, which was shown to measure less than 1cm, under local anaesthetic, which numbed his hand.
It was sent for laboratory tests, which proved the growth was made a nail. Doctors asked the patient to publish his story in medical literature.
The case, however, comes after a study in December, which suggested cases of double nails are more common than thought.
Researchers at the University of Bern found double toenails have been reported across several countries – despite only four reports in literature.
The team in Bahawalpur, in the east of the Asian country, were astounded by the case and published it in medical literature. Writing in the International Journal of Surgery Open , they described the double fingernail as an ‘extremely rare entity’