From June 7th to 9th, 2025 the 14th course on capillaroscopy and microcirculation in rheumatic diseases and the 32nd course on musculoskeletal ultrasound took place in Barcelona, Spain, organized by EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology), which are traditional events of the postgraduate training activities of the European professional organization of rheumatologists before the annual congress. Lecturers from the Medical University of Plovdiv – Prof. Dr. Sevdalina Lambova and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Plamen Todorov from the Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine “Prof. Dr. Anton Mitov” took part as lecturers and instructors.
Prof. Dr. Sevdalina Lambova presented a lecture on the topic “Immunological profile and morphology of microvascular damage assessed by capillaroscopy” in the course on capillaroscopy and microcirculation in rheumatic diseases. The course brought together leading specialists in the field of rheumatology and capillaroscopy, including Prof. Dr. Maurizio Cutolo (University of Genoa, Italy – founder of modern capillaroscopy training in Europe) and Prof. Dr. Vanessa Smith (University of Ghent, Belgium; chair of the EULAR Study Group on Capillaroscopy and Microcirculation in Rheumatic Diseases). Nailfold capillaroscopy is a non-invasive instrumental method of key importance in rheumatological practice. Along with immunological diagnostics, capillaroscopy is a mandatory technique for early diagnosis and pre-diagnosis of systemic rheumatic diseases with peripheral vascular syndrome. The scientific sessions and workshops with patients were accompanied by exciting discussions, exchange of experience and outlining the latest trends in the understanding of microvascular damage in rheumatic diseases, international consensuses, expanded indications for capillaroscopy and interpretation of capillaroscopy findings.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Plamen Todorov participated with a lecture on ultrasound of the shoulder joint in the course on musculoskeletal ultrasound – second level and was a member of jury of the final exam in the advanced level. The main scientific organizer of the course on musculoskeletal ultrasound this year was Prof. Ingrid Möller from the University of Barcelona. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a major imaging non-invasive technique in rheumatology, which is indicated for rapid assessment of a number of articular and periarticular structures in the process of diagnostics, monitoring of disease activity, performing ultrasound-guided injections and evaluating therapeutic response.
Nailfold capillaroscopy and musculoskeletal ultrasound are strategic instrumental techniques in modern rheumatology, which are simultaneously performed and analyzed by a rheumatologist. The modern development of knowledge in these areas of rheumatology is associated with new directions of application and standardized approaches approved by professional organizations.
