Correlations between cutaneous and retinal microaneurysms in diabetes mellitus (preliminary note).

A group of diabetic patients was submitted to a capillaroscopic examination at the level of the peri-ungual vallum and to a fluoroangiographic examination of the retina, for the evaluation of possible correlations between vessel conditions in to various districts. The Authors remarked that the subjects affected by proliferative diabetic retinopathy presented a greater dilatation of the ansae at cutaneous level, with haemorrhagic extravasations in 70% of the cases. On the contrary, on the subjects with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy numerous aneurysmal "buttons" were noted at cutaneous level, both apically and laterally along the vascular ansa.