A Reproducible Computerized Method for Quantitation of Capillary Density using Nailfold Capillaroscopy

Capillaroscopy is a non-invasive, efficient, relatively inexpensive and easy to learn methodology for directly visualizing the microcirculation. The capillaroscopy technique can provide insight into a patient's microvascular health, leading to a variety of potentially valuable dermatologic, oph...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of visualized experiments 2015-10 (105), p.e53088-e53088
Main Authors: Cheng, Cynthia, Lee, Chadd W, Daskalakis, Constantine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Capillaries - anatomy & histology
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods
Medicine
Microcirculation
Microscopic Angioscopy - methods
Nails - blood supply
Neovascularization, Physiologic
Reproducibility of Results
Software
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Summary:Capillaroscopy is a non-invasive, efficient, relatively inexpensive and easy to learn methodology for directly visualizing the microcirculation. The capillaroscopy technique can provide insight into a patient's microvascular health, leading to a variety of potentially valuable dermatologic, ophthalmologic, rheumatologic and cardiovascular clinical applications. In addition, tumor growth may be dependent on angiogenesis, which can be quantitated by measuring microvessel density within the tumor. However, there is currently little to no standardization of techniques, and only one publication to date reports the reliability of a currently available, complex computer based algorithms for quantitating capillaroscopy data.(1) This paper describes a new, simpler, reliable, standardized capillary counting algorithm for quantitating nailfold capillaroscopy data. A simple, reproducible computerized capillaroscopy algorithm such as this would facilitate more widespread use of the technique among researchers and clinicians. Many researchers currently analyze capillaroscopy images by hand, promoting user fatigue and subjectivity of the results. This paper describes a novel, easy-to-use automated image processing algorithm in addition to a reproducible, semi-automated counting algorithm. This algorithm enables analysis of images in minutes while reducing subjectivity; only a minimal amount of training time (in our experience, less than 1 hr) is needed to learn the technique.
ISSN:1940-087X
1940-087X
DOI:10.3791/53088