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Updated: Mar 31, 2026
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Non-Invasive Visualization of Nailbed Microvascular Morphology in Mice Using Capillaroscopy
Published on: February 28, 2025
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Nailfold capillaroscopy in rheumatic connective tissue diseases
Ewa Wielosz1, Natalia Siedlecka1
1Department of Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, Medical University of Lublin, Poland.
Reumatologia
|March 30, 2026
Summary
Capillaroscopy imaging detects microcirculation issues in connective tissue diseases. Specific patterns, like scleroderma microangiopathy, correlate with disease severity and organ involvement, aiding diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Vascular Biology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Capillaroscopy is a non-invasive technique to visualize nailfold capillary microcirculation.
- Microcirculation disorders are key features in systemic connective tissue diseases (SCTDs).
- Standardized capillaroscopic patterns aid in diagnosing scleroderma and related conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of capillaroscopy in diagnosing microcirculation disorders within SCTDs.
- To discuss the classification of capillaroscopic findings into scleroderma and non-scleroderma patterns.
- To explore the association between capillaroscopic patterns and disease severity.
Main Methods:
- Non-invasive imaging of nailfold capillary vessels.
- Categorization of findings based on European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology guidelines.
- Correlation analysis between capillaroscopic patterns and clinical manifestations.
Main Results:
- Capillaroscopy identifies microangiopathy, including scleroderma-like patterns, in various SCTDs.
- Specific capillaroscopic patterns correlate with the severity of organ involvement.
- Changes are observed in scleroderma spectrum diseases and other SCTDs like SLE and RA.
Conclusions:
- Capillaroscopy is crucial for detecting microcirculation abnormalities in SCTDs.
- Scleroderma-like microangiopathy is a significant finding beyond primary scleroderma.
- Further research is needed to fully understand capillaroscopy's utility in non-scleroderma conditions.
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