Capillaroscopy: questions and answers

Abstract

Capillaroscopy is an essential imaging technique used in the study of microcirculation and one of the best diagnostic tools for the early detection of systemic sclerosis and related conditions. However, despite the increasing interest in capillary microscopy, there is still a surprising discrepancy between its potential application and its still limited use in rheumatological practice. This contrast is really surprising because few diagnostic techniques can combine all the positive features typical of capillaroscopy (low cost, uninvasiveness, repeatability, high sensitivity, good specificity, easy interpretation of results). The lack of guidelines and recommendations concerning the right way to carry out a correct capillaroscopic examination and the interpretation of the most relevant capillaroscopic abnormalities may represent one of the major drawbacks for its widespread use. Discussion about controversies on this topic should be encouraged, leading to a progressive development of capillaroscopy as a routine investigation in rheumatology.