Background:Videocapillaroscopy is the gold standard for evaluation of nailfold capillaries and the major tool used for differentiation of primary and secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) in rheumatology practice. However, nowadays, there are also accessible alternatives such as USB capillaroscopes, which offer the opportunity to apply capillaroscopic examination at a significantly lower price.Objectives:The aim of the current study was to study the utility of USB capillaroscope (Dinolite) via assessment of capillaroscopic images obtained by patients with primary and secondary RP in rheumatic diseases.Methods:The study represents analysis of capillaroscopic images of 32 patients with RP – primary and secondary in the context of SSc or other rheumatic diseases i.e., undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). All the patients had signed an informed consent for participation in a study of their capillaroscopic, laboratory and clinical associations. The study represents retrospective analysis of the capillaroscopic images obtained from 8 fingers (II-V bilaterally) using USB capillaroscope (Dinolite) at magnification 200x. Capillary diameters were measured (arterial, venous and apical loop) as well as the number of capillaries per millimeter. The capillaroscopic images were categorized into the following groups i.e., I. Absence of microangiopathy: i) normal pattern, ii) nonspecific changes (dilated capillaries with arterial diameter > 0.015mm, venous > 0.020mm; haemorhhages and/or other nonspecific changes), II. Presence of microangiopathy i.e., “scleroderma”/”scleroderma-like” pattern. Presence of giant capillaries with capillary diameter >0.050mm was considered as a sufficient criterion for classifying the image as “scleroderma”/”scleroderma-like” pattern. For “scleroderma” type images in SSc patients staging of Cutolo et al (2000) was used i.e., “early”, ”active”, ”late” phase (1).Results:Images suitable for analysis with good visibility that permits analysis of the major capillaroscopic parameters were available in all patients. Among 32 included patients, 9 patients were with SSc, 12 cases with primary RP, and 10 patients with secondary RP in other CTD (7 patients with UCTD and 3 patients with SLE). „Scleroderma“ pattern was detected in 6 patients with SSc and in all these cases the capillaroscopic images were classifiable into one of the three distinct phases i.e., “early”, ”active” and ”late” phase. Presence of microvascular changes (“scleroderma-like” pattern) was detected also in 5 among the 10 patients with other CTD i.e., UCTD and SLE. In primary RP patients capillaroscopy revealed either normal pattern or nonspecific findings but without features of microangiopathy.Conclusion:Good capillaroscopic images, which could be analyzed and interpreted, are usually obtained using USB capillaroscope. This permits evaluation of the major capillaroscopic parameters. The available software although less sophisticated vs those of videocapillaroscopes, gives the opportunity for measurement of capillary diameters, mean capillary density, etc. The images received from USB capillaroscope are easily classified into “scleroderma”, “scleroderma-like”, non-specific changes and normal pattern. The most important conclusion from capillaroscopy is about presence or absence of microangiopathy. This was easily detected via USB capillaroscope that could be suggested as an ideal alternative for videocapillaroscopes in every day rheumatology practice especially at low budget cases. Measurements of capillary diameters and capillary density provide quantitative data that make these devises also appropriate for scientific research.References:[1]Cutolo M, Sulli A, Pizzorni C AS. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy assessment of microvascular damage in systemic sclerosis. J Rheumatol. 2000;27(1):155–60.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.
Incontinentia pigmenti with secondary Raynaud's phenomenon: A case report and review of the literature
