Capillaroscopy

Capillaroscopy is a procedure during which the small blood vessels of the nail beds of the 2nd-5th fingers of both hands of the patient are examined using a capillaroscope.

To achieve better contact and visibility, a drop of vegetable oil is placed on each nail bed to be examined. The examination is performed on patients who complain of their fingers turning white or blue due to cold, i.e. Raynaud's syndrome. The aim is to distinguish between primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. In the case of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, capillaroscopy allows monitoring changes in the capillaries over time and evaluating the development of systemic sclerosis or another systemic connective tissue disease, diagnosing the disease as early as possible and starting treatment.

The necessity of the examination is decided by the treating physician.