Nailfold video capillaroscopy as a useful diagnostic tool in systemic vasculitis

Nailfold video capillaroscopy (NVC) enables us a direct view of the microvasculature. Only several capillaroscopy studies in adult patients with vasculitis have been reported.

To characterize NVC changes in vasculitis.

Vasculitis patients and healthy controls were evaluated by NVC. NVC changes associated with vasculitis were assessed retrospectively in a cohort of 100 patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP).

17 patients with active vasculitis and 8 patients with vasculitis in remission were compared to 25 age and sex-matched healthy controls. Active vasculitis patients demonstrated higher rates of neoangiogenesis and capillary loss in comparison to other groups. Two novel NVC abnormalities were observed in patients with vasculitis: "Rolling" (slow capillary flow) and "peri-capillary stippling" (PCS), small deposits that may represent capillary leak. PCS was observed exclusively in 5 of 17 patients with active vasculitis. Retrospectively, we were able to detect PCS also in 14 % of 100 patients that were evaluated for RP, of whom 64 % were diagnosed with scleroderma or a related disorder.

Patients with active vasculitis demonstrate frequent capillary abnormalities. Although these abnormalities are non-specific, we suggest that their combination may aid the diagnosis of vasculitis. Future studies are needed to validate our findings.