The Promising Role of a Superb Microvascular Imaging Technique in the Evaluation of Raynaud’s Syndrome in Systemic Sclerosis: Theory and Practical Challenges

In recent years, a novel Doppler ultrasonography (US) modality—superb microvascular imaging (SMI)—has been presented as a reliable method to evaluate small vessel blood flow with minimised motion artefacts. In this review, we present the challenges of incorporating SMI in daily practice with detailed and comparable US images of a fingertip. The main focus of this paper is the discussion of all tested US techniques, artefacts, and practical challenges for evaluating Raynaud’s syndrome in systemic sclerosis. Despite a few reports on SMI use in assessing nailfold capillaries, there is still a need for more evidence of its value and possibilities for its standardisation.

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Role of Superb Microvascular Imaging in Differentiating Between Malignant and Benign Solid Breast Masses

Clinical Breast Cancer ◽

10.1016/j.clbc.2020.06.009 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. e786-e793

Author(s):

Xuehong Diao ◽

Jia Zhan ◽

Lin Chen ◽

Yue Chen ◽

Hongli Cao

Keyword(s):

Breast Masses ◽

Superb Microvascular Imaging ◽

Microvascular Imaging

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Skin capillary abnormalities as indicators of organ involvement in scleroderma (systemic sclerosis), Raynaud's syndrome and dermatomyositis

The American Journal of Medicine ◽

10.1016/0002-9343(76)90410-1 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 61 (6) ◽

pp. 862-870 ◽

Cited By ~ 120

Author(s):

Hildegard R. Maricq ◽

George Spencer-Green ◽

E.Carwile LeRoy

Keyword(s):

Systemic Sclerosis ◽

Organ Involvement ◽

Raynaud’S Syndrome ◽

Raynaud's Syndrome

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Microvascular damage evaluation in systemic sclerosis: the role of nailfold videocapillaroscopy and laser techniques

Reumatismo ◽

10.4081/reumatismo.2017.959 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 69 (4) ◽

pp. 147 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

B. Ruaro ◽

A. Sulli ◽

V. Smith ◽

C. Pizzorni ◽

S. Paolino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Sclerosis ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Imaging Technique ◽

Blood Perfusion ◽

Clinical Aspects ◽

Damage Evaluation ◽

Nailfold Videocapillaroscopy ◽

Microvascular Damage ◽

Laser Technologies

Microvascular damage and a decrease in peripheral blood perfusion are typical features of systemic sclerosis (SSc) with serious clinical implications, not only for a very early diagnosis, but also for disease progression. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy is a validated and safe imaging technique able to detect peripheral capillary morphology, as well as to classify and to score any nailfold abnormalities into different microangiopathy patterns. Capillaroscopic analysis is now included in the ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc. The decrease in peripheral blood perfusion is usually associated with microvascular damage in SSc, which may be studied by different methods. Several of these make use of safe laser technologies. This paper focuses on these new clinical aspects to assess SSc microvascular impairment.

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