title: Nailfold Capillaroscopy in Rheumatic Diseases: Which Parameters Should Be Evaluated?
abstract: Video nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC), considered as an extension of the widefield technique, allows a more accurate measuring and storing of capillary data and a better defining, analyzing, and quantifying of capillary abnormalities. Capillaroscopic study is often performed on the patients suspected of having microcirculation problems such as Raynaud's phenomenon as the main indication for nailfold capillaroscopy. Capillaroscopic findings based on microcirculation studies can provide useful information in the fields of pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, and monitoring therapy. Nailfold capillaroscopy provides a vital assessment in clinical practices and research; for example, its reputation in the early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis is well established and it is also used as a classification criterion in this regard. This review focuses on the manner of performing video nailfold capillaroscopy and on a common approach for measuring capillary dimensions in fingers and toes.
authors.affiliation: Medical Image and Signal Processing Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81745-319, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahnaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Etehad Tavakol
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Alzahra Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8174675731, Iran.
authors.forename: Alimohammad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fatemi
authors.affiliation: School of Technology and Health (STH), Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: Abdolamir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karbalaie
authors.affiliation: Medical Image and Signal Processing Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81745-319, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Emrani
authors.affiliation: School of Technology and Health (STH), Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: Björn-Erik
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Erlandsson
mesh_terms: D002196:Capillaries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D020678:Microscopic Angioscopy; D009262:Nails / Q000098:blood supply*; D011859:Radiography; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*