title: Videocapillaroscopic findings in the microcirculation of the psoriatic plaque.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Videocapillaroscopy (VCP) is a method to study the morphology and dynamics of microcirculation, but information about capillaroscopic features of the psoriatic plaque is limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the distribution, morphology and density of capillaries in lesional and perilesional skin of the psoriatic plaque.
  
  
  METHODS
  VCP of a well-delimited plaque of the trunk, arms or legs in 15 consecutive patients with untreated, chronic plaque psoriasis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the lesional skin, capillaries were tortuous and dilated, homogeneously appearing as 'bushy'. In the perilesional skin, capillary loops seemed to be on a parallel course with respect to the skin surface, with their apex directed towards the marginal zone. The number of capillary loops per area unit was statistically increased in perilesional compared to lesional skin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the morphology, distribution and density of capillary loops, two different angiogenetic patterns were found in lesional and perilesional skin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, University of Ancona, Jesi, Italy. deaross65@libero.it
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Angelis
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bugatti
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Del Medico
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nicolini
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Filosa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002196:Capillaries / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology; D018715:Microscopy, Video / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric