Nailfold biopsy in scleroderma and related disorders.

Nailfold biopsy has been performed in 24 subjects: 15 patients with scleroderma or related disorders and 9 healthy controls. The technique of biopsy is described and the healing of biopsy sites documented by close-up photography. In vivo photomicrographs of the nailfold capillary bed before and after biopsy demonstrate the capillary abnormalities and their evolution in patients during the postbiopsy period.