There are no reliable biomarkers of vascular severity or extension, so identification of patients with disabling or life-threatening vascular involvement is often difficult and too late. Best therapeutic effects include healing of ulcers and improvement of blood flow in pulmonary, renal and peripheral vascular beds in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Recent advance of medical devices enables precise recognition of small architectures, so that peripheral blood flow is used for one of individual identifications. Herein, we have demonstrated 2D and 3D color doppler ultrasonography (Aplio i700 TUS-AI700E, Canon medical systems corporation, Japan) images of peripheral blood perfusion on distal phalanx of third finger from two patients with SSc. The diagnosis of SSc was made according to ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc. They did not have an experience of digital ulcers. Evaluation was performed in baseline conditions after 30 min staying at air-conditioning room (24 °C). The images were processed using ImageJ software. Pixels within the threshold limit allowed a distinction with fair accuracy between the blood flow signal and the background signal. After applying the threshold settings, image analysis was used to measure the total area. The signals in SSc were markedly reduced (as <5% healthy control) within dualized 2D ultrasound color doppler images, which were supported by 3D structure. However, nailfold vascular structure looked like normal or early pattern in dermoscopic analysis. Thus, ultrasound may have a potential to describe peripheral vascular architectures in early SSc, although further analysis is needed.

ESDR154 - Ultrasound Visualizes Peripheral Vascular Dysfunction in Finger Pulp Blood Flow in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

The scientific meeting of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR) is held yearly, usually in September. With an international attendance of more than 1000 skin scientists from around the globe, the four-day event includes short oral presentations from peer-reviewed abstracts, keynote lectures from international experts, sponsored symposia, satellite programs, educational events as well as an important focus on posters, networking and building collaborations amongst scientists. For more information about this year’s meeting visit our website.