Primary Raynaud phenomenon, as clinical symptom of altered peripheral microcirculation, affects 5ˆ15% of individuals in the general population and almost 15% of cases will shift from the primary to the secondary phenomenon (associated with the systemic sclerosis and other connective tissue diseases) in a mean time of 29.4±10 months. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) represents the safest, noninvasive, less expensive and reliable method to analyze microvascular abnormalities in systemic sclerosis and the findings can be scored and quantified. Since microvascular damage and dysfunction represent early markers of systemic sclerosis and are clinically mirrored by secondary Raynaud phenomenon, the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications of microvessel morphological analysis by NVC enables the best clinical management. Reduced capillary density on NVC predict and correlates with a high risk of developing digital skin ulcers and the presence of pulmonary arterial hypertension, and can therefore be used as a marker of systemic sclerosis severity and progression, as well as to monitorize the therapeutical effects. Growing interest and intense recent research on capillaroscopy have resulted up to 2010 in almost 350 papers reported in PubMed in the last 10 years, accounting for almost 50% of the total number of publications on the subject from 1951. However, an atlas explaining the capillaroscopy in rheumatic diseases in a modern, updated and physiologically-based way with large discussion of clinical cases was lacking and is now available. The authors of the atlas have been selected among the best international experts of the field and are all members of the board of the international courses on capillaroscopy supported by the European Ligue Against Rheumatic Diseases (EULAR). The reader after a carefull and progressive analysis of the text will learn to understand the capillaroscopic findings that characterize the most important rheumatic diseases and will use the atlas for his daily clinical practice.

Patients with rheumatic diseases frequently exhibit a multiplicity of clinical and radiographic signs. The ability to correctly interpret these clues to diagnosis is an invaluable clinical skill, and an essential component of diagnostic decision making. This book is designed as a pictorial guide to clinical rheumatology and illustrates the principal clinical and radiographic signs of many musculoskeletal disorders. It is intended to supplement the more factual types of information found in standard textbooks and to provide the reader with a visual experience equivalent to that of several years in clinical practice. The two initial chapters on history and physical examination are incorporated to provide a construct within which the relevance of subsequent sections can be viewed. The disease-oriented chapters which form the majority of the text illustrate many of the more complex problems encountered in routine rheumatologic practice. Descriptions of several rare and unusual conditions, of particular clinical importance, have been included in the final chapter. It is the author's hope that this atlas will appeal to family practitioners, trainees in both rheumatology and general medicine, and senior medical students, as well as serve as a teaching resource for the general physician and specialty rheumatologist. Whether read chapter by chapter or used purely as a reference text it is intended to be kept on hand both in the clinic and on the ward.

Arthritis and its related musculoskeletal disorders constitute the most common chronic illnesses in the United States. These conditions adversely affect the quality of life of those who are struck by them, require increased use of health care resources, and, because they are the leading cause of disability in the United States, have a significant impact on the national economy. Physicians and other health care workers in many disciplines have been involved in the care and study of patients with these diseases. As a result, our understanding of and ability to treat these diseases have improved continuously. This Atlas of Rheumatology is designed to help clinicians learn about this group of diseases and develop an understanding of their possible causes, clinical features, laboratory findings, and treatments, using an attractive pictorial format. Because more than 100 sepa rate types of arthritis have been described, unfortunately all could not be included. The illus trations shown in the Atlas have been carefully selected by recognized experts, who served as authors of the eight chapters, to provide the reader with the essential information needed to get a clear picture of these important diseases. For their successful efforts I am deeply grateful. I am also indebted to editorial workers who have maintained high standards to create a clear, attractive final product.

This Atlas examines skin ulcers in patients affected by systemic sclerosis. Although they are not life threatening, digital ulcers cause enormous pain, impact function and quality of life, and can lead to serious local complications such as gangrene, osteomyelitis, and permanent tissue loss. Knowledge and understanding of these ulcers is pivotal in everyday practice in order to arrive at an accurate early diagnosis, a correct analysis of ulcer characteristics, and an appropriate direct and systematic treatment. To that end, this book describes all the major characteristics of skin ulcers in systematic sclerosis, including classification, evaluation, and categorization. Richly illustrated for practical use, Atlas of Ulcers in Systemic Sclerosis: Diagnosis and Management is an essential resource for physicians and related professionals, residents, and graduate students in rheumatology, dermatology, and angiology.

Patients with rheumatic diseases frequently exhibit a multiplicity of clinical and radiographic signs. The ability to correctly interpret these clues to diagnosis is an invaluable clinical skill, and an essential component of diagnostic decision making. This book is designed as a pictorial guide to clinical rheumatology and illustrates the principal clinical and radiographic signs of many musculoskeletal disorders. It is intended to supplement the more factual types of information found in standard textbooks and to provide the reader with a visual experience equivalent to that of several years in clinical practice. The two initial chapters on history and physical examination are incorporated to provide a construct within which the relevance of subsequent sections can be viewed. The disease-oriented chapters which form the majority of the text illustrate many of the more complex problems encountered in routine rheumatologic practice. Descriptions of several rare and unusual conditions, of particular clinical importance, have been included in the final chapter. It is the author's hope that this atlas will appeal to family practitioners, trainees in both rheumatology and general medicine, and senior medical students, as well as serve as a teaching resource for the general physician and specialty rheumatologist. Whether read chapter by chapter or used purely as a reference text it is intended to be kept on hand both in the clinic and on the ward.

Bringing together thousands of the best dermatologic clinical and pathological photographs and figures from researchers and scientists around the world, this volume focuses on the most prevalent dermatologic disorders as they relate to cutaneous infectious and neoplastic conditions and procedural dermatology. It includes atypical presentations of various disorders, giving insight into differential diagnoses, helping to familiarize the reader with some of the rarest dermatologic disorders. Atlas of Dermatology, Dermatopathology and Venereology Volume 3 is written for dermatologists, dermatopathologists, and residents and summarizes data regarding any dermatologic disorder and syndrome. Each entry includes an introduction, clinical and pathological manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment and prognosis. div>/div/div/div

Rheumatology in Practice offers chapters which are organised and built around anatomical and regional syndromes, so reinforcing the evidence-based approach. As readers progress through the text they are given more demanding and challenging questions, encouraging them to use their diagnostic skills to identify the main syndromes and the underlying diseases responsible for the disorders in question. The text is lavishly illustrated in full colour, with detailed photos of patient examinations, complemented by radiographs and full colour line illustrations. The text also benefits from the use of summaries using coloured boxing to identify key points in diagnosis and management. Written by two of the most respected clinicians in the discipline, this book will be essential reading for rheumatologists in practice and training.

Like its predecessors, Text Atlas of Nail Disorders, third edition is destined to become an invaluable diagnostic tool. The authors comprehensively cover pathologies affecting the toe and finger nails. They profile each pathology, from common to rare disorders, and support them with extensive color photographs. This latest edition contains new mate