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CAPoxy: A feasibility study to investigate multispectral imaging in nailfold capillaroscopy
Michaela Taylor-Williams1,2, Irsa Khalil3, Joanne Manning3,4
1Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Plos One
|August 12, 2026
Summary
Multispectral imaging (MSI) shows differences in vascular function between systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and healthy individuals. This novel technique aids in distinguishing SSc patients by analyzing nailfold capillary oxygenation and hemoglobin concentration.
Area of Science:
- Vascular biology
- Medical imaging
- Systemic sclerosis research
Background:
- Nailfold capillaroscopy visualizes microvascular structural changes in systemic sclerosis (SSc).
- Multispectral imaging (MSI) offers functional assessment of capillaries, unlike pulse oximetry.
- MSI is suitable for evaluating oxygenation-sensitive imaging techniques in SSc.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess if multispectral imaging (MSI) can functionally differentiate systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients from healthy controls.
- To evaluate MSI for differences in hemoglobin concentration and oxygenation in nailfold capillaries.
- To explore MSI's potential in aiding SSc diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- A single-centre, cross-sectional feasibility study (CAPoxy) compared 10 SSc patients to 12 controls.
- A nine-band multispectral camera imaged nailfold capillaries.
- Linear mixed-effects models and a machine learning model were used for analysis.
Main Results:
- SSc patients showed significantly higher hemoglobin concentration indicators in capillary and surrounding regions (p<0.001).
- Spectral differences suggested variations in capillary and tissue oxygenation between SSc patients and controls.
- An exploratory machine learning model achieved 84% accuracy in distinguishing SSc patients.
Conclusions:
- Multispectral imaging (MSI) differentiates SSc patients from controls based on altered vascular function.
- MSI provides insights into capillary and tissue oxygenation in SSc.
- Further development of targeted spectral cameras could enhance diagnostic imaging for SSc.
