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Related Concept Videos

Capillaries and Their Types01:20

Capillaries and Their Types

Capillaries, a crucial constituent of the circulatory system, are diminutive vessels with a diameter between 5–10 micrometers, accommodating perfusion to the tissues through the phenomenon known as microcirculation. Through their permeable walls, consisting of an endothelial layer ensconced by a basement membrane and sporadically dispersed smooth muscle fibers, the exchange of substances between the blood and the interstitial fluid becomes plausible. Variance in wall composition exists, with...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Non-invasive Assessment of Microvascular and Endothelial Function
05:41

Non-invasive Assessment of Microvascular and Endothelial Function

Published on: January 29, 2013

Capillaroscopy.

Maurizio Cutolo1, Carmen Pizzorni, Maria Elena Secchi

  • 1Research Laboratories and Clinical Academic Unit of Rheumatology, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genova, Italy. mcutolo@unige.it

Best Practice & Research. Clinical Rheumatology
|December 2, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is crucial for differentiating primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). Specific NVC patterns, like giant capillaries and microhemorrhages, aid in early systemic sclerosis (SSc) detection and patient classification.

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A Reproducible Computerized Method for Quantitation of Capillary Density using Nailfold Capillaroscopy
05:17

A Reproducible Computerized Method for Quantitation of Capillary Density using Nailfold Capillaroscopy

Published on: October 27, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Dermatology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) can be primary or secondary to connective tissue diseases.
  • Distinguishing between primary and secondary RP is essential for appropriate management and prognosis.
  • Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a key condition where secondary RP is common, and early diagnosis is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the diagnostic utility of nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) in differentiating primary and secondary RP.
  • To demonstrate how NVC findings can identify early systemic sclerosis (SSc).
  • To assess the impact of NVC on the classification criteria for SSc.

Main Methods:

  • Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) was used to examine capillary morphology in patients with RP.
  • Specific NVC patterns, including giant capillaries, microhemorrhages, and capillary loss, were identified and categorized.
  • Comparison of NVC findings with established classification criteria for SSc was performed.

Main Results:

  • The presence of giant capillaries and microhemorrhages on NVC is indicative of the "scleroderma pattern" (early SSc).
  • NVC abnormalities significantly increase the sensitivity of SSc classification criteria from 67% to 99%.
  • Approximately 15% of patients initially classified with primary RP were reclassified to secondary RP based on NVC findings over a mean follow-up of 29.4 months.

Conclusions:

  • NVC is a highly reliable tool for distinguishing primary from secondary RP, particularly by identifying early SSc.
  • Regular NVC follow-up (every 6 months) is recommended for patients with RP.
  • NVC can reveal distinct patterns associated with other connective tissue diseases, including dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease, and antiphospholipid syndrome.