Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Skin Capillaroscopy

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Agache's Measuring the Skin

Abstract

Capillaroscopy allows the direct visualization of the skin microcirculation in vivo by epi-illumination and image transmission via the optics of a microscope. It has been generally used as a tool for the diagnosis of a wide range of pathologies such as Raynaud syndrome, arterial hypertension and venous insufficiency, through the study of the morphology of capillaries. Nowadays it is also utilized in association with image analysis to quantify the density and geometry of the capillary network. This technique also allows the dynamic study of microcirculation thanks to pharmacological agents or fluorescent tracers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 649.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 899.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Allen J, Howell K. Microvascular imaging: techniques and opportunities for clinical physiological measurements. Physiol Meas. 2014;35:R91–R141.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blockmans D, Beyens G, Verhaeghe R. Predictive value of nailfold capillaroscopy in the diagnosis of connective tissue diseases. Clin Rheumatol. 1996;15:148–53.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bollinger A, Fagrell B. Clinical capillaroscopy. Toronto: Hogrefe et Huber Ed; 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bollinger A, Jager K, Geser A, Sgier F, Seglias J. Transcapillary and interstitial diffusion of Na-fluorescein in chronic venous insufficiency with white atrophy. Int J Microcirc Clin Exp. 1982;1:5–17.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bollinger A, Jager K, Siegenthaler W. Microangiopathy of progressive systemic sclerosis: evaluation by dynamic fluorescence videomicroscopy. Arch Intern Med. 1986;146:1541–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bollinger A, Pfister G, Hoffmann U, Franzeck UK. Fluorescence microlymphography in chronic venous incompetence. Int Angiol. 1989;8:23–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bongard O, Bounameaux H. Clinical investigation of skin microcirculation. Dermatology. 1993;186:6–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boss C, Schneuwly P, Mahler F. Evaluation and clinical application of the flying spot method in clinical nailfold capillary TV-microscopy. Int J Microcirc Clin Exp. 1987;6:15–23.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Braverman IM. The cutaneous microcirculation. J Invest Dermatol. 2000;5:3–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bull RH, Bates DO, Mortimer PS. Intravital video-capillaroscopy for the study of the microcirculation in psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 1992;126:436–45.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carpentier PH. Méthodes d’exploration vasculaire chez l’homme : microcirculation et veines. Therapie. 1999;54:369–74.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carpentier PH, Maricq HR. Microvasculature in systemic sclerosis. Rheum Dis Clin N Am. 1990;16:75–91.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang CH, Tsai RK, Wu WC, Kuo SL, Yu HS. Use of dynamic capillaroscopy for studying cutaneous microcirculation in patients with diabetes mellitus. Microvasc Res. 1997;53:121–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davis E, Landau J. Clinical capillary microscopy. Springfield: Thomas Ed; 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Degouy A, Creidi P, Sainthillier JM, Marsault D, Muret P, Montastier C, Hirt JP, Besne I, Breton JL, Gharbi T, Humbert P. In vivo transcutaneous capillaroscopy: assessment of dermal capillary density decrease after topical pharmacological agent applications. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2002;129:1S451–2 (Abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fagrell B. Dynamics of skin microcirculation in humans. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 1985;7 Suppl 3:S53–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fagrell B. Vital microscopy and the pathophysiology of deep venous insufficiency. Int Angiol. 1995a;14:18–22.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fagrell B. Advances in microcirculation network evaluation: an update. Int J Microcirc. 1995b;15 Suppl 1:34–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fagrell B, Hermansson IL, Karlander SG, Ostergren J. Vital capillary microscopy for assessment of skin viability and microangiopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus. Acta Med Scand Suppl. 1984;687:25–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Franzeck UK, Bollinger A, Huch R, Huch A. Transcutaneous oxygen tension and capillary morphologic characteristics and density in patients with chronic venous incompetence. Circulation. 1984;70:806–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Franzeck UK, Haselbach P, Speiser D, Bollinger A. Microangiopathy of cutaneous blood and lymphatic capillaries in chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Yale J Biol Med. 1993;66:37–46.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hahn M, Heubach T, Steins A, Junger M. Hemodynamics in nailfold capillaries of patients with systemic scleroderma: synchronous measurements of capillary blood pressure and red blood cell velocity. J Invest Dermatol. 1998;110:982–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hern S, Mortimer PS. Visualization of dermal blood vessels: capillaroscopy. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1999;24:473–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Humbert P, Sainthillier JM, Mac-Mary S, Petitjean A, Creidi P, Gharbi T. Capillaroscopy and videocapillaroscopy assessment of skin microcirculation: dermatological and cosmetic approaches. In: Serup J, Jemec GBE, Grove GL, editors. Handbook of non-invasive methods and the skin. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis; 2006. p. 679–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jairo J, Monari M. Human capillaroscopy by light emitting diode epi-illumination. Microvasc Res. 2000;59:172–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly RI, Pearse R, Bull RH, Leveque JL, de Rigal J, Mortimer PS. The effects of aging on the cutaneous microvasculature. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995;33:749–56.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lamah M, Chaudhry H, Mortimer PS, Dormandy JA. Repeatability of intravital capillaroscopic measurement of capillary density. Int J Microcirc Clin Exp. 1996;16:23–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lamboba S, Muller-Ladner U. Capillaroscopic pattern in systemic sclerosis - an association with dynamics of processes of angio- and vasculogenesis. Microvascular Res. 2010;80:534–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li L, Mary S, Sainthillier JM, Degouy A, Gharbi T, De Lacharriere O, Humbert P. Changes of cutaneous microcirculation in the different anatomic sites with aging in women. Chin J Microcirc. 2004;2:43–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li L, Mac-Mary S, Marsaut D, Sainthillier JM, Nouveau S, Gharbi T, de Lacharrière O, Humbert P. Age-related changes in skin topography and microcirculation. Arch Dermatol Res. 2006a;297:412–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li L, Mac-Mary S, Sainthillier JM, Nouveau S, de Lacharrière O, Humbert P. Age-related changes of the cutaneous microcirculation in vivo. Gerontology. 2006b;52:142–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maricq HR. Wide-field capillary microscopy. Arthritis Rheum. 1981;24:1159–65.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maricq HR, LeRoy EC, D’Angelo WA, Medsger Jr TA, Rodnan GP, Sharp GC, Wolfe JF. Diagnostic potential of in vivo capillary microscopy in scleroderma and related disorders. Arthritis Rheum. 1980;23:183–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maricq HR, Weinberger AB, LeRoy EC. Early detection of scleroderma-spectrum disorders by in vivo capillary microscopy: a prospective study of patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon. J Rheumatol. 1982;9:289–91.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maricq HR, Harper FE, Khan MM, Tan EM, LeRoy EC. Microvascular abnormalities as possible predictors of disease subsets in Raynaud phenomenon and early connective tissue disease. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 1983;1:195–205.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mellor R, Mortimer PS. Dermal lymphatics. In: Handbook of Measuring the skin. 1st edn. Berlin: Springer; 2004. p. 392–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merlen JF. La capillaroscopie, moyen d’exploration fonctionnelle. Ann Med Nancy. 1980;19:189–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Michoud E, Poensin D, Carpentier PH. Digitized nailfold capillaroscopy. VASA. 1994;23:35–42.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miniati B, Macchi C, Molino Lova R, Catini C, Gulisano M, Contini M, Conti AA, Gensini GF. Descriptive and morphometric anatomy of the architectural framework of microcirculation: a videocapillaroscopic study on healthy adult subjects. Ital J Anat Embryol. 2001;106:233–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petitjean A, Mac-Mary S, Sainthillier JM, Muret P, Closs B, Humbert P. Effects of cigarette smoking on the skin of women. J Dermatol Sci. 2006a;42:259–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petitjean A, Sainthillier JM, Muret P, Closs B, Gharbi T, Mac-Mary S, Humbert P. Effet du tabagisme chronique sur la microcirculation: étude par vidéocapillaroscopie. In: Uhoda E, Paye M, Piérard GE, editors. Actualités en ingénierie cutanée, vol. 4. Paris: ESKA; 2006b. p. 167–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad A, Dunnill GS, Mortimer PS, MacGregor GA. Capillary rarefaction in the forearm skin in essential hypertension. J Hypertens. 1995;13:265–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Priollet P, Vayssairat M, Housset E. How to classify Raynaud phenomenon: long term follow-up study of 73 cases. Am J Med. 1987;83:494–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rhodin JAG. Anatomy of the microcirculation. In: Effros RM, Schmid-Schöbein H, Ditzel J, editors. Microcirculation: current physiologic, medical and surgical concepts. New York: Academic; 1981. p. 11–7.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Sainthillier JM, Creidi P, Degouy A, Muret P, Montastier C, Hirt JP, Besne I, Breton L, Gharbi T, Humbert P. Topical application of a manganese gluconate preparation inhibits the effects of neosynephrin on the cutaneous microcirculation. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2002;129:460. abstr.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sainthillier JM, Degouy A, Gharbi T, Pieralli C, Humbert Ph. Geometrical capillary network analysis. Skin Res Technol. 2003;9:312–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sainthillier JM, Gharbi T, Muret P, Humbert P. Skin capillary network recognition and analysis by means of neural algorithms. Skin Res Technol. 2005;11:9–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Serne EH, Gans RO, ter Maaten JC, Tangelder GJ, Donker AJ, Stehouwer CD. Impaired skin capillary recruitment in essential hypertension is caused by both functional and structural capillary rarefaction. Hypertension. 2001;38:238–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shih TC, Zhang G, Wu CC, Hsiao HD, Wu TH, Lin KP, Huang TC. Hemodynamic analysis of capillary in finger nail-fold using computational fluid dynamics and image estimation. Microvascular Res. 2011;81:68–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stucker M, Schobe MC, Hoffmann K, Schultz-Ehrenburg U. Cutaneous microcirculation in skin lesions associated with chronic venous insufficiency. Dermatol Surg. 1995;21:877–82.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tooke JE. Microvascular function in human diabetes: a physiological perspective. Diabetes. 1995;44:721–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhong J, Asker CL, Salerud EG. Imaging, image processing and pattern analysis of skin capillary ensembles. Skin Res Technol. 2000;6:45–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research and Studies Center on the Integument (CERT); Clinical Investigation Center (CIC BT506), Department of Dermatology, Besançon University Hospital, Besançon, France

    Adeline Jeudy

  2. Center for Research and Studies on the Integument (CERT), Department of Dermatology, Clinical Investigation Center (CIC INSERM 1431), Besançon University Hospital; INSERM UMR1098, FED4234 IBCT, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France

    Thomas Lihoreau

  3. Skinexigence, Bioparc, 2 rue du Prof Paul Milleret, 25000, Besançon, France

    Jean-Marie Sainthillier

  4. Department of Dermatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Wai nan guo xue xiang 37, 610041, Chengdu, China

    Li Li

  5. Skinexigence SAS, Bioparc, Besançon, France

    Sophie Mac-Mary

  6. Center for Study and Research on the Integuments, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France

    Ferial Fanian

  7. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France

    Philippe Humbert

Authors
  1. Philippe Humbert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jean-Marie Sainthillier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sophie Mac-Mary
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Thomas Lihoreau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ferial Fanian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Adeline Jeudy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Li Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Philippe Humbert .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France

    Philippe Humbert

  2. Center for Study and Research on the Integuments, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France

    Ferial Fanian

  3. Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA

    Howard I. Maibach

  4. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France

    Pierre Agache

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this entry

Cite this entry

Humbert, P. et al. (2017). Skin Capillaroscopy. In: Humbert, P., Fanian, F., Maibach, H., Agache, P. (eds) Agache's Measuring the Skin. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32383-1_60

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32383-1_60

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-32381-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-32383-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation