In vivo capillary microscopy findings and ophthalmoscopy findings in scleroderma.
We used in vivo capillary microscopy to examine the nailfold capillaries of 19 patients with scleroderma (18 women and 1 man; average age 56.6), and compared these findings with those obtained using an ophthalmoscope. The ophthalmoscope revealed hemorrhages in 68% of the patients, a reduction in the number of capillaries in 79%, avascular areas in 79%, and dilated capillaries in 84%. The findings from ophthalmoscopy showed a correlation of approximately 80% with those from capillary microscopy. Since the diagnosis of scleroderma can be confirmed with this instrument, we suggest that it be used when microscopy equipment is not available.
Ranft
J
J
Department of Internal Medicine, Franziskus Hospital, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany.
Lammersen
T
T
Heidrich
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002196:Capillaries / Q000473:pathology*; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation; D008875:Middle Aged; D019721:Ophthalmoscopes; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000473:pathology*; D013690:Television; D014743:Videotape Recording