Abstract
Capillaroscopy is a ‘non-invasive’ method of undoubted value in the recognition of morphological and functional abnormalities of the microcirculation. Its use dates back to the early twentieth century but remained mostly confined to the experimental until the 1980s. Since then, the clinical applications of capillaroscopy have progressively developed, especially in the field of rheumatology, to become an essential top-level examination in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon and play a key role in the diagnosis and prognosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc).
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Abbreviations
- aCL:
-
Anticardiolipin antibodies
- DM:
-
Dermatomyositis
- NC:
-
Nailfold capillaroscopy
- RP:
-
Raynaud’s phenomenon
- SLE:
-
Systemic lupus erythematosus
- SP:
-
Scleroderma pattern
- SSc:
-
Systemic sclerosis
- UCTD:
-
Undifferentiated connective tissue disease
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Further Reading
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Filosa, G., De Angelis, R. (2015). Capillaroscopy. In: Katsambas, A.D., Lotti, T.M., Dessinioti, C., D’Erme, A.M. (eds) European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-45139-7_111
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