shanyna isom of memphis, tn, has a condition that appears to have resulted from a bad reaction to a steroid, that doctors have been unable to figure out or treat. every hair follicle on her body suddenly began to produce black fingernails, resulting in something like porcupine quills.

more than us$500,000 in unpaid medical bills later, doctors are no closer to finding an explanation or a cure, and say that shanyna is the only person in the world with this condition.