ERN ReCONNET Infographic on Videocapillaroscopy

The ERN ReCONNET Education and Training Working Group (WG) is glad to release its new flyer on nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC), a new and informative document targeting patients and lay audience aimed at explaining such an important diagnostic approach.

The document was developed by the Network under the leadership of Prof. Maurizio Cutolo from IRCSS – Ospedale San Martino (co-chair of the ERN ReCONNET Education and Training WG) – Genova (Italy), Prof. Vanessa Smith from University Hospital Ghent (co-chair of the ERN ReCONNET Systemic Sclerosis Disease Group and EULAR Study Group on microcirculation in rheumatic diseases) – Ghent (Belgium), Prof. Francesca Ingegnoli from Gaetano Pini CTO (co-chair CAP-SIR SG) – Milan (Italy), therefore, it was done in collaboration with EULAR Study Group on Capillaroscopy and Microcirculation and the CAP-SIR Study Group.

Regarding the NVC approach, the test is mainly useful in rheumatology and in internal medicine, for an early or to-be-confirmed diagnosis of rare and complex connective tissue diseases such as System Sclerosis (SSc), Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD), Polydermatomyositis, Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD), AntiPhospholipid Syndrome (APS), and offers important information on microcirculation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) as well as in Sjögren’s Syndrome (SS) and overlaps.

The examination is performed by observing blood microcirculation through placing a probe (a magnifying glass with a micro camera) around the nailfold of all the fingers sequentially, except the thumb. The NVC is carried out at a constant temperature. In particular, NVC is used to evaluate the number (the most important parameter), size, and specific shapes of capillaries around the nail (NVC patterns) and helps to identify the associated disease.
To perform the test, manicures and any type of nail polish must be avoided 2 weeks before the examination that takes a maximum of 10 to 20 minutes.
There are no contraindications, it is a non-invasive test, it is not painful, it simply uses a magnifying glass and micro camera, all inside a small device.

ERN ReCONNET Education and Training WG has already provided some webinars available on the Network website and YouTube Channel and others are coming, explaining and showing the examinations and related advantages.
Further courses and publications are available on the EULAR School of Rheumatology (Education) website.

The flyer can be downloaded for free (pdf and jpeg), and it will available soon in several languages.
ERN ReCONNET Capillaroscopy Flyer (pdf)

If you have any questions, please send an email to:
mcutolo(at)unige.it
Vanessa.Smith(at)ugent.be