Cholesteric liquid crystals are special compounds that display specific color changes in response to variations in temperature. Their responses can be graphically demonstrated by means of color thermography. A new color contract thermographic technique is described utilizing liquid crystals embedded in elastic flexible sheaths. These sheaths, when inflated, conform to the varied contours of the torso and extremities and, therefore, the new thermographic technique is especially well suited to the study of the skin dermatomes and myotomes. Typical heat patterns have been observed in root compression syndromes and particularly at the S-1, L-5, L-4, C-6, C-7, and C-8 levels. A high degree of anatomic accuracy can thus be achieved, comparable to or better than can be achieved by electromyography or myelography. Liquid crystal thermography can serve to screen patients for myelography and can complement myelography in identifying clinically significant abnormalities. The imaging technique correlates well with clinical and surgical findings, and constitutes one of the first attempts by means of a concomitant study of the body dermatomes to objectively document the subjective complaint of pain.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.