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Updated: Apr 7, 2026
A Novel Approach to Monitoring Graft Neovascularization in the Human Gingiva
Published on: January 12, 2019
Short-term follow-up of digital ulcers by laser speckle contrast analysis in systemic sclerosis patients
Barbara Ruaro1, Alberto Sulli1, Vanessa Smith2
1Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS A.O.U. San Martino-IST, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy.
Objective:
To monitor in systemic sclerosis (SSc) the evolution of digital ulcer (DU) status by analysing blood perfusion (BP) using laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA).
Methods:
Hand BP was recorded by LASCA in twenty SSc patients with recent onset fingertip DUs before and after 10days of local/systemic treatment. Regions of interest (ROIs) to analyse BP were created al the level of ulcer, peri-ulcer, periungual and fingertip areas. Visual analogue pain scale (VAS) was also administered to patients before and after follow-up.
Results:
A statistically significant increase of BP was observed from T0 to T1 in the ROIs created at the level of the ulcer area (p<0.0001), as well as a significant decrease of BP was observed in the peri-ulcer area (p<0.0001). A statistically significant decrease of both ulcer size (p<0.0001) and VAS (p=0.001) was observed, whereas no significant variation of both periungual and fingertip BP was detected.
Conclusions:
LASCA may safely monitor DU evolution in SSc patients, by evaluating its blood perfusion and area during standard treatment. This may be useful to monitor DU evolution during treatment in clinical trials.
