Using Nailfold Capillaroscopy in Combination with Other Non-invasive Imaging Techniques
摘要
Several non-invasive imaging techniques can be used in combination with nailfold capillaroscopy to assess the microcirculation in patients with primary and secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP), particularly systemic sclerosis (SSc). They evaluate different aspects of the peripheral microvasculature including perfusion, oxygenation and volume and might provide new insights into the pathophysiology of the microvascular involvement observed in those patients. Moreover, they can be useful to evaluate treatment response in clinical trials. In this chapter we review the main techniques that have been used in clinical practice and research, including laser Doppler, thermography, plethysmography, Doppler ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and techniques that can assess microvascular volume and oxygenation, focusing on the correlation with structural abnormalities found in nailfold capillaroscopy.