Infrared thermography: Experience from a decade of pediatric imaging

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of clinical application of infrared thermography (IRT) in the pediatric population and to identify pathological states that can be diagnosed as well as followed up using this non-invasive technique. In real time computer-assisted IRT, 483 examinations were performed over a period of 10 years from 1990-2000 on 285 patients in the pediatric age group (range 1 week-16 years) presenting with a wide range of pathologies. The temperature was measured in centigrade ( degrees C), and color images obtained were computer analyzed and stored on floppy discs. IRT was found to be an excellent noninvasive tool in the follow-up of hemangiomas, vascular malformations and digit amputations related to reimplantation, burns as well as skin and vascular growth after biomaterial implants in newborns with gastroschisis and giant omphaloceles. In the emergency room, it was a valuable tool for rapid diagnosis of extremity thrombosis, varicoceles, inflammation, abscesses, gangrene and wound infections. In conclusion, IRT can be performed in the pediatric age group, is non-invasive, without any biological side effects, requires no sedation or anesthesia and can be repeated as desired for follow-ups, with objective results that can demonstrated as colored images. Periodic thermographic studies to follow progression of lesions seem to be a useful and reproducible method for repeated and long-term examination.

Infrared thermographic assessment of changes in skin temperature during hypoglycaemia in patients with type 1 diabetes

“…Furthermore, the remote recording does not interfere with sweat evaporation that is a major driver of hypoglycaemic Ts responses. The approach has proven useful in assessing Ts changes associated with regional anaesthesia [20,21], and has been suggested in ruling out fractures and monitoring vascular malformations, haemangiomas, burns and wound infections [22,23]. With the use of thermal images we are able to show changes in Ts in relation to a blood glucose level of 2.0-2.5 mmol/l.…”

High Resolution Biological Visualization Techniques

“…The visualization of superficial vascular malformations, for instance has been shown to benefit most from thermography (Saxena AK, Willital GH, 2008). Another example is in dentistry: Dental X-ray images are problematical for clear display of the vitality of dental pulp, especially under ceramic crowns.…”

Development of a High-Resolution Infrared Thermographic Imaging Method as a Diagnostic Tool for Acute Undifferentiated Limp in Young Children.

“…Additionally, IRT has been successfully applied to the diagnosis of varying degrees of paediatric skin burn, with a reported sensitivity and specificity often greater than that of clinical assessment [14,15]. Recent pilot studies have shown that IRT can have other applications in paediatric emergency medicine, in screening for specific conditions such as fracture and joint inflammation, as well as monitoring wounds for signs of healing or infection [15][16][17][18]29]. In a prospective study of 51 children presenting with unilateral limb injury, the radiographs and thermal images were analysed; 11 showed fracture on radiograph, of which, 7 (64%) were matched by thermal imaging [19].…”