Nailfold videocapillaroscopy for the early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis in Raynaud's phenomenon

Abstract

Raynaud's phenomenon is characterized by an exaggerated vasospastic response induced by cold or emotional stress. It can be primary (idiopathic) or secondary to a number of different conditions, including predominantly systemic sclerosis (SSc). Currently, the best technique available to study microvascular involvement in Raynaud's phenomenon is nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC). The actual and exclusive advantage of early NVC analysis is to distinguish between primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon and to allow the early detection of SSc. Recently, microvascular alterations, as detected by NVC in patients with SSc, have been reclassified into three different patterns: early, active and late. These large investigations have confirmed previous observations, indicating enlarged and giant capillaries, together with microhemorrhages and edema, as the earliest NVC finding in SSc (early pattern). The NVC patterns have been correlated with different clinical aspects and manifestations of SSc, as well as trea...