Nailfold Capillaroscopy in Rheumatic Diseases: Which Parameters Should Be Evaluated? Publisher Pubmed



Tavakol ME¹ ; Fatemi A² ; Karbalaie A³ ; Emrani Z¹ ; Erlandsson BE³ Show Affiliations
Source: BioMed Research International Published:2015

Abstract

Video nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC), considered as an extension of the widefield technique, allows a more accurate measuring and storing of capillary data and a better defining, analyzing, and quantifying of capillary abnormalities. Capillaroscopic study is often performed on the patients suspected of having microcirculation problems such as Raynaud's phenomenon as the main indication for nailfold capillaroscopy. Capillaroscopic findings based on microcirculation studies can provide useful information in the fields of pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, and monitoring therapy. Nailfold capillaroscopy provides a vital assessment in clinical practices and research; for example, its reputation in the early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis is well established and it is also used as a classification criterion in this regard. This review focuses on the manner of performing video nailfold capillaroscopy and on a common approach for measuring capillary dimensions in fingers and toes. © 2015 Mahnaz Etehad Tavakol et al.