Fundamentals of capillaroscopy

Core conceptual and clinical foundations for rigorous interpretation of nailfold capillaroscopy.

Overview

Modules and units

Choose a module and jump straight into the unit you need. Each block is ordered so you can keep context without reading a long roadmap first.

11 Available units 4 Modules

Technique and workflow

Initial clinical application

Systemic sclerosis

Module 1 Foundations 3 units Module 2 Technique and workflow 3 units Module 4 Initial clinical application 3 units Module 5 Systemic sclerosis 2 units

Module 1

Foundations

What capillaroscopy is, why the periungual region matters, and which anatomy and classical reading frameworks you need before interpreting anything.

3 units

1.1 Level basic 14 min Introduction to nailfold capillaroscopy Definition, technique variants, current clinical role, limits, and historical development of nailfold capillaroscopy. Start unit 1.2 Level intermediate 16 min Nailfold microcirculation: anatomy, physiology, and baseline findings Capillary loop architecture, exchange physiology, and practical criteria to distinguish normal variation from microangiopathy. Start unit 1.3 Level intermediate 17 min Classical semi-quantitative and quantitative capillaroscopy interpretation How to move from global reading to classical scoring, integrate the Maricq and Cutolo patterns, and understand which metrics remain useful today. Start unit

Module 2

Technique and workflow

Equipment, acquisition, quality control, quantification, and AI. This block gathers what you need for usable and comparable studies.

3 units

2.1 Level basic 19 min Equipment and devices for capillaroscopy How to choose between videocapillaroscopy, dermoscopy, and USB microscopes according to field of view, traceability, and clinical context. Start unit 2.2 Level intermediate 21 min Image acquisition, quality control, and complementary techniques Patient preparation, capture protocol, quality control, and the current role of quantification and complementary techniques. Start unit 2.3 Level advanced 24 min AI, quantification, and reproducibility in capillaroscopy What current algorithms measure, how they compare with expert readers, the role of external validation, and where the real limits of AI in capillaroscopy still lie. Start unit

Module 4

Initial clinical application

When to request the test, how to use it in Raynaud's phenomenon, and how to distinguish it from other acrosyndromes before disease-specific chapters.

3 units

4.1 Level intermediate 18 min Indications and clinical utility of capillaroscopy When to request the test, which clinical questions it can answer, and where the evidence remains limited. Start unit 4.2 Level advanced 22 min Raynaud's phenomenon: diagnosis, risk stratification, and initial management How to confirm the syndrome, distinguish primary from secondary forms, integrate capillaroscopy and serology, and decide on initial management. Start unit 4.3 Level intermediate 19 min Other vascular acrosyndromes: acrocyanosis, erythromelalgia, and differentials Practical differential diagnosis between Raynaud and other acrosyndromes: acrocyanosis, erythromelalgia, perniosis, livedo, and causes of digital ischemia. Start unit

Module 5

Systemic sclerosis

A dedicated block for the scleroderma pattern, classification, vascular prognosis, and longitudinal follow-up.

2 units

5.1 Level advanced 23 min Systemic sclerosis: scleroderma pattern, criteria, and classification How to recognize the scleroderma pattern, integrate it with VEDOSS and ACR/EULAR criteria, and distinguish it from non-scleroderma patterns. Start unit 5.2 Level advanced 22 min Systemic sclerosis: prognosis, digital ulcers, and longitudinal follow-up Associations between capillaroscopy and vascular damage, digital ulcers, cardiopulmonary involvement, and longitudinal risk in systemic sclerosis. Start unit

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