Infrared thermography to evaluate pain in a multiple sclerosis patient. Case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune, inflammatory, demyelinating and chronic disease of the central nervous system. As from the understanding of its pathophysiology and of thermoregulating dysfunctions caused by the disease, it is clear that, whenever possible, infrared thermography should be done. Thermography helps understanding how the disease affects different body areas, by investigating asymmetries, contractures and neurogenic patterns. This study aimed at documenting by infrared thermography a case of multiple sclerosis in crisis of pain. CASE REPORT: Female patient, 63 years old, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2007 after magnetic resonance and lumbar puncture. Six month ago she started complaining of progressive decrease in lower limbs muscle strength in addition to increased spinal pain, especially in lumbar spine and right hemibody. Patient was submitted to new exams (head and cervical spine resonance), which have shown the same pattern found in previous exams, resulting from old injuries by demyelinating substract. Thermometry has shown asymmetry of the whole right hemiboby with central neurogenic patterns and temperature difference (∆T 0.8ºC), thus confirming initial diagnosis. With regard to major complaint, there was asymmetry between paralumbar regions and presence of lumbar paravertebral hyperradiation, suggesting local muscles contracture. CONCLUSION: Multiple sclerosis has a wide range of symptoms, especially the installation of chronic pain and inadequate thermoregulation, which directly interfere with quality of life of patients.

Influence of particulate matter and meteorological conditions on multiple sclerosis relapse: a preliminary study in São Paulo, Brazil

“…In the study of Salvi et al 10 the authors also pointed out the relationships between the seasonality of MS hospitalizations and the seasonality of relative air humidity in Italy. Other studies show that high relative humidity causes increased fatigue in patients with MS 30,31 . Our study focused only on the pollutant PM 10 , due to the fact that there is more literature on MS and this pollutant, mainly and only from other countries.…”

Puerperal Breast Engorgement: A Technological Intervention

“…Likewise, it was considered thermal asymmetry when between the two breasts of the same woman, there was at least 0.3°C difference. This criterion was adopted because it has been applied by other researchers when analyzing other pathologies, 13 although the literature also considers thermal asymmetry, starting at 0.5°C. 14 The goal of the present study was to evaluate the treatment of lactational breast engorgement by means of thermogram.…”