Avascular area detection in nailfold capillary images

Automation of nailfold capillary image analysis is a new research idea. There are many important aspects of the capillary image analysis: capillary thickness, shape, distribution and density. We focus on two last aspects-distribution and density of capillaries. The paper presents an approach to avascular areas detection. An avascular area on the image is an area with capillary loss. It is an important medical sign. Capillary loss is one of the most characteristic features of systemic sclerosis. Vascular abnormalities observed in nailfold capillaries appear earlier in the course of the disease than at other sites. The proposed approach uses a variety of pattern recognition techniques, including: histogram analysis and classification.