Sample image
Normal distal row
Observe orderly capillary loops, preserved density, and no scleroderma-pattern features.
Learn nailfold capillaroscopy with real clinical images
Capillaroscopy.com
A practical visual resource for learning nailfold capillaroscopy, interpreting patterns, and exploring complete clinical cases.
From image to clinical interpretation
Nailfold capillaroscopy lets you examine nailfold capillaries non-invasively. It is especially useful for assessing microvascular involvement in connective tissue diseases, particularly systemic sclerosis.
Use this site to review the fundamentals, compare patterns, study clinical cases, and open complete studies so morphology, density, and the distribution of findings stay connected.
Capillaroscopy explained with images
Before getting into classifications, look at what the findings actually look like. The site combines real images and teaching figures to help you recognize morphology, density, artifacts, and patterns.
Sample image
Scleroderma pattern
Recognize giant capillaries, hemorrhages, and architectural changes in systemic-sclerosis-type microangiopathy.
Figure
Nailfold microcirculation
Locate the distal row and understand why the nailfold is a useful window into the microcirculation.
Figure
Classical quantification
Learn how to count visible capillaries and translate findings into a reproducible score.
Choose where to go next
Interactive viewer
Open complete studies in the viewer
On the clinical cases and patterns pages, you can open complete studies in the embedded Capillary.io viewer. Move through fields and fingers, compare images, and keep the visual pattern connected to the quantitative data.
- Use clinical cases to connect images with real diagnostic contexts.
- Explore complete normal, non-specific, early, active, and late SSc studies on the patterns page.
- Compare image quality, capillary density, hemorrhages, and morphology across the whole acquisition.
Representative active systemic sclerosis pattern study.
Recent Publications
Value of nailfold capillaroscopy in the classification of the systemic sclerosis pattern
Guillén del Castillo A, Lledó-Ibáñez GM, Sáez Comet L, Freire Dapena M, Mesa Navas M, Martín Cascón M, et al. Med Clin (Barc). 2026;166:107426. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2026.107426.
Large multicenter study showing that complete acquisition across all non-thumb fingers and both medial and lateral nailbed areas is needed for reliable systemic sclerosis pattern classification.
Distinct Nailfold Videocapillaroscopy Findings in Patients With Anti-Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetase Antibodies
Mugii N, Hamaguchi Y, Fushida N, Fujii K, Nishio J, Kudo K, et al. J Dermatol. 2026 Feb;53(2):318-322. PMID: 41312673.
Highlights a distinct capillaroscopic profile in antisynthetase-positive myositis, extending microvascular interpretation beyond classic systemic sclerosis patterns.
Clinical practice guidelines for reporting nail fold videocapillaroscopy: a Delphi consensus on behalf of the Italian Society of Rheumatology study group on capillaroscopy
Ingegnoli F, Pireddu D, Platania E, De Angelis R, Alunno A, Ariani A, et al. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2026 Jan 15. PMID: 41537537.
Delphi-based reporting guidance that turns capillaroscopy interpretation into a more standardized clinical report, making it especially useful for routine practice and multicenter work.
Nailfold video capillaroscopy predicts severe progression at three years in systemic sclerosis: Results from SCLEROCAP study
Boulon C, Larrouture I, Blaise S, Mangin M, Decamps-Le Chevoir J, Senet P, et al. Microvasc Res. 2026 Jan;163:104874. PMID: 40967366.
Prospective SCLEROCAP follow-up showing that capillaroscopy can help identify patients with systemic sclerosis at higher risk of severe 3-year progression.
Acrocyanosis: primary or secondary form? An observational study
Bilancini S, Lucchi M, Trevisan G, Di Pino L, Tucci S. Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat. 2025 Dec;34(4):177-180. PMID: 41420618.
Shows that nearly half of referred acrocyanosis cases were secondary, reinforcing the diagnostic value of structured capillaroscopic assessment in the right clinical context.
Deep Learning Performance in Analyzing Nailfold Videocapillaroscopy Images in Systemic Sclerosis
Yayla ME, Aydin A, Kilicaslan M, Kalkan M, Guzel MS, Shikhaliyeva A, et al. Diagnostics (Basel). 2025 Nov 18;15(22):2912. PMID: 41300936.
Reports high classification performance from a deep-learning model for videocapillaroscopy images, supporting the current move toward AI-assisted interpretation.
Nailfold Capillaroscopic (NFC) Changes in Vasculitis and Their Correlation with Systemic Involvement: A Cross-Sectional Study
Bhandare P, Naik R, Mahesh Y, Ghodge R. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2025 Nov 1;16(6):928-933. PMID: 40814970.
Cross-sectional vasculitis study linking more disruptive nailfold changes with systemic involvement, ulceration, and broader disease burden.