Diagnosis of Scleroderma

Other Diagnostic Studies for Scleroderma

• Pulmonary (lung) studies

  • chest x-ray
  • pulmonary function tests
  • computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest

• Cardiac (heart) studies

  • thallium scintigraphy
  • single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

• Gastrointestinal tract studies

  • barium esophagram
  • esophagoscopy
  • esophageal manometry

• Thermographic Studies - there are indications that in children diagnosed with localized scleroderma, the temperature of the skin lesion is warmer than that of the surrounding skin which may be a sign of active disease. Recent studies confirm a high degree of correlation. Research in the use of this diagnostic tool is ongoing.

Once the presence of scleroderma has been definitely established, it is important to determine:

• Type of scleroderma
• Extent of organ involvement
• Degree of tissue damage