Nailfold capillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
Nailfold capillaroscopy in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
(A) Normal hairpin-shaped capillaries in a healthy subject. No relevant variation in the thickness of the capillary loops is evident.
Systemic sclerosis. Representative examples of architectural disorganization of the nailfold microvascular bed:
(B) Striking shape heterogeneity characterized by enlarged loops (*).
(C) Heterogeneity with tortuous capillaries, slightly dilated capillary loops (*), and capillary hemorrhages.
(D) Architectural derangement dominated by extremely enlarged loops (*) and neoformation of capillaries (arrow).
(E) Architectural disorganization characterized by irregular distribution of capillaries that shows a high degree of heterogeneity without loop enlargement.
Reproduced from: Walter G, Medico PD, Izzo F, Cervini C. Microvascular involvement in systemic sclerosis: capillaroscopic findings. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2001; 30:397. Illustration used with the permission of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.