Solitary Subungual Neurofibroma of the Right Great Toe: A Case Report

Authors

  • Chowdhury Rashedul Mughni Scientific Officer
  • Nusrat Jahan Mahin Ekagra Health, ARC Health Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Chowdhury Ali Adnan Department of Internal Medicine, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Farah Imrana Department of Histo & Cytopathology Department, Bangladesh Institute of Health Sciences General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v52i1.86144

Keywords:

Solitary subungual neurofibroma, Rare case, Histopathology, Case report, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Solitary subungual neurofibroma is an exceptionally rare benign tumor of the nerve sheath that most commonly presents as a slow-growing, painless subungual nodule. Owing to its uncommon location and nonspecific presentation, it is frequently misdiagnosed as a fungal or inflammatory nail disorder. With fewer than ten cases have been documented globally, making awareness and ensuring accurate diagnosis are essential.

Case presentation: We report a case of a 47-year-old Bangladeshi male with a three-year history of a painless, progressively enlarging nodule beneath the nail of his right great toe. Clinical evaluation revealed nail deformity (onychodystrophy), lifting of the nail plate, and a firm mass beneath the nail, with no evidence of neurofibromatosis or any underlying systemic illness. Imaging and ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic mass, and surgical excision under local anesthesia was performed. Histopathological analysis revealed a benign, unencapsulated spindle cell neoplasm with a shredded carrot collagenous appearance containing mast cells. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with no recurrence after one year.

Conclusion: This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by solitary subungual neurofibromas because of their rarity and nonspecific presentation. Early recognition, histopathological confirmation, and complete surgical excision are key to favorable outcomes. Clinicians should keep neurofibroma in mind as a possible diagnosis for nail bed tumors, particularly when imaging results are unclear.

Bangladesh Medical Res Counc Bull 2026;52(1): 71-75

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Published

2026-04-30

Issue

Vol. 52 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Case Report

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Copyright (c) 2026 Chowdhury Rashedul Mughni, Nusrat Jahan Mahin, Chowdhury Ali Adnan, Farah Imrana

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