Beaus lines are deep grooved lines that run from side to side on the fingernail or the toenail. They may look like indentations or ridges in the nail plate. : 657   This condition of the nail was named by a French physician, Joseph Honoré Simon Beau (1806–1865), who first described it in 1846. Signs and symptoms
Beaus lines are horizontal, going across the nailline, and should not be confused with vertical ridges going from the bottom (cuticle) of the nail out to the fingertip. These vertical lines are usually a natural consequence of aging and are harmless.Beaus lines should also be distinguished from Muehrckes lines of the fingernails. While Beaus lines are actual ridges and indentations in the nail plate, Muehrcke lines are areas of hypopigmentation without palpable ridges; they affect the underlying nail bed, and not the nail itself. Beaus lines should also be distinguished from Mees lines of the fingernails, which are areas of discoloration in the nail plate. As the nail grows out, the ridge in the nail can be seen to move upwards until it reaches the fingertip. When it reaches this point the fingertips can become sore for a few days due to the nail bed being exposed by the mis-shapen nail. Causes
There are several causes of Beaus lines. It is believed that there is a temporary cessation of cell division in the nail matrix.
Other tests like x-rays, CAT scans, and MRIs can suggest that cancer is present, but only an examination of a piece of the tumor can make a definite diagnosis. Types
Pleuropulmonary blastoma is classified into 3 types:

Type I is multicystic
Type II shows thickening areas (nodules) within this cystic lesion
Type III shows solid masses.Type I PPB is made up of mostly cysts, and may be hard to distinguish from benign lung cysts, and there is some evidence that not all type I PPB will progress to types II and III. Types II and III are aggressive, and cerebral metastasis is more frequent in PPB than in other childhood sarcomas. Treatment
Treating PPB depends on the size and location of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread, and the childs overall health. Surgery is the main treatment for PPB. The main goal of surgery is to remove the tumor. If the tumor is too large to be completely removed, or if its not possible to completely remove the tumor, surgery may be performed after chemotherapy. Because PPB can return after treatment, regular screening for possible recurrence should continue for 48 to 60 months, after diagnosis. History
Pleuropulmonary blastoma was first described in 1988.An international registry has been established. See also
Lung cancer

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