Computer-assisted skin videothermography is a highly sensitive quality tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of complex regional pain syndrome type�I

Abstract

The use of thermography in the diagnosis and evaluation of complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS1) is based on the presence of temperature asymmetries between the involved area of the extremity and the corresponding area of the uninvolved extremity. The interpretation of thermographic images is, however, subjective and not validated for routine use. The objective of the present study was to develop a sensitive, specific and reproducible arithmetical model as the result of computer-assisted infrared thermography in patients with early stage CRPS1 in one hand. Eighteen patients with CRPS1 on one hand and 13 healthy volunteers were included in the study. The severity of the disease was determined by means of pain questionnaires [visual analogue scale (VAS) pain and McGill Pain Questionnaire], measurements of mobility (active range of motion) and oedema volume. Asymmetry between the involved and the uninvolved extremities was calculated by means of the asymmetry factor, the ratio and the average temperature differences. The discrimination power of the three methods was determined by the receiver-operating curve (ROC). The regression between the determined temperature distributions of both extremities was plotted. Subsequently the correlation of the data was calculated. In normal healthy individuals the asymmetry factor was 0.91 (0.01) (SD), whereas in CRPS1 patients this factor was 0.45 (0.07) (SD). The performance of the arithmetic model based on the ROC curve was excellent. The area under the curve was 0.97, the P value was <0.001, the sensitivity 92% and specificity 94%. Furthermore, the temperature asymmetry factor was correlated with the duration of the disease and VAS pain. In conclusion, in resting condition, videothermography is a reliable additive diagnostic tool of early stage CRPS1. This objective tool could be used for monitoring purposes during experimental therapeutic intervention.

Thermal body patterns for healthy Brazilian adults (male and female)

“…In our study, the highest average ΔT sk recorded in adults was 0.3 °C ( see Table 1 Some studies (Sivanandam et al, 2012;Ring et al,2004;Huygen et al, 2004;Zhu and Xin, 1999;Ben-Eliyahu, 1992) have focused on comparing the thermal profile of healthy people to that of people with an established diagnosis. The ΔT sk in healthy people was found to usually be below 0.5 °C.…”

High-resolution infrared thermography: a new tool to assess tungiasis-associated inflammation of the skin

“…In 1998, Jones recognized the potential use of infrared thermal imaging with regard to skin diseases [16]. But only through the transfer of military technology, HRIT was introduced as a new tool for diagnosis and morbidity assessment, first in race horses and later in humans [17,18]. Since then, HRIT has been used for diverse medical purposes, e.g.…”

“…Second, the interpretation of thermographic images is difficult in patients with very extended and multiple lesions. Third, the interpretation of thermographic images is rather subjective [18]. Forth, since the study was conducted in a resource-poor rural community in Madagascar, it was not possible to standardize thermal measurements as it could have been done in a hospital setting in an industrialized country.…”

Infrared Thermography in Sports Activity

“…IRT was performed in a room at constant temperatureduring experiments and patients were asked to follow strict instructions before examination. Many studies (Darton & Black 1990;Huygen et al, 2004;Varju et al, 2004;Zaproudina et al, 2009) have shown very good reproducibility of IRT in a temperature-controlled environment. The IRT was reliable to detect osteoarthritis of the knee by the way of distributions of skin temperature.…”