Clubbing of the fingers or toes - Overview

Definition of Clubbing of the fingers or toes:

Clubbing is a thickening of the flesh under the toenails and fingernails. The nail curves downward, similar to the shape of the round part of an upside-down spoon.

Considerations:

Clubbing is associated with a wide number of diseases. It is most often noted in heart and lung diseases that cause a lower than normal amount of oxygen in the blood.

Clubbing may also be due to lung cancer, and diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract.

Clubbing may also occur in families. In this case it may not be due to an underlying disease.

Common Causes:

• Bronchiectasis
• Celiac disease
• Cirrhosis
• Congenital heart disease (cyanotic type)
  • Tetralogy of Fallot
  • Total anomalous venous return
  • Transposition of the great vessels
  • Tricuspid atresia
  • Truncus arteriosus
• Crohn's disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Lung abscess
• Lung cancer
• Pulmonary fibrosis