Nailfold capillary microscopy: Its practical application in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon

Abstract

Nailfold Capillary Microscopy (NCM) affords direct in vivo visualization of cutaneous capillaries in man. The method is simple, cheap and non invasive, and permits quantitative and qualitative assessment of skin microcirculation. Auxiliary devices can also record red blood velocity, transcapillary diffusion, finger systolic pressure and local cooling. The most widespread routine use of NCM is for patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP). The main objectives of the method are: 1 – to recognize non primary RP early, 2 – to differentiate and classify connective tissue disorders, 3 – to study vascular pathogenic mechanisms, and 5 – to assess blindly objective improvement of skin microcirculation in therapeutic trials.