[Morphologic study of the microcirculation in connective tissue diseases].

Capillaroscopy is a non-invasive diagnostic test used to study microvascular abnormalities which are present in many disorders, particularly some rheumatic pathologies, such as connective tissue diseases. In systemic sclerosis, capillaroscopy allows detection of pathognomonic microvascular alterations. In other connective tissue diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatopolymyositis, undifferentiated connective tissue diseases, and mixed connective tissue disease, the capillaroscopic patterns, although non-specific, can provide a valid support for the diagnosis. In Raynaud's phenomenon, capillaroscopy enables detection of early microvascular abnormalities that are useful for preclinical diagnosis of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon.