Infrared thermography is useful for ruling out fractures in paediatric emergencies

Sanchís-Sánchez, Enrique; Palmer, Rosario Salvador; Codoñer‐Franch, Pilar; Martín, Juan Enrique Pérez; Vergara-Hernández, Carlos; Blasco, José-María; Ballester, Esther; Sanchís, E.; González-Peña, Rolando J.; Cibrián, Rosa

doi:10.1007/s00431-014-2425-0

Cited by 31 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The study by Lasanen et al suggested that inflamed joints had higher regional temperatures, whilst in the study involving paediatric fracture, Sanchis-Sánchez et al showed such pathology could be detected by identifying areas of increased skin temperature [16,17]. Conversely, a study into sports injuries and muscle strains found particular injuries to be associated with a localised decrease in temperature, so further research into this application of IRT may be necessary [28].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…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].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2016

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Objectives & BackgroundAcute limp is a common presenting complaint in the paediatric emergency department. There are a number of possible causes of acute limp, ranging from the minor, such as traumatic injury, to more severe conditions, such as infection or malignancy. In young children, these causes are not always easily distinguished, even with the use of radiological imaging and laboratory investigations. With this pilot study, we aimed to develop an infrared thermographic imaging technique for use as a diagnostic aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of acute undifferentiated limp in young children. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to critically evaluate the effectiveness of thermal imaging in this context, whilst developing an appropriate protocol for an emergency environment.MethodsFollowing NHS ethics approval, 30 children were recruited from the Sheffield Children's Hospital ED. The participants were divided into groups based on diagnosis. Using an infrared camera, the lower limbs of the participants were imaged to record the skin surface temperature of both the affected side and unaffected side. Using predefined Regions of Interest (locations of thermographic measurement on the leg), any temperature difference between the two legs of each subject was recorded and the ability to isolate the specific region affected by injury was assessed.ResultsIn all Regions of Interest assessed, the median temperature reading for the affected side was higher than that of the unaffected side. The ability of infrared thermography to isolate the specific region affected was evident on an individual basis, with particular case studies showing promise. The small sample size recruited for each group meant that tests of significant difference need to be interpreted in this context and further research is required to form clinically meaningful conclusions.ConclusionThis pilot study has highlighted a number of potential avenues for future research into the use of thermographic imaging in an emergency setting. Repeating a similar study with a larger sample size will allow more credence to be given to the tests of significant difference. This study indicated that thermal imaging shows promise as an additional tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of acute undifferentiated limp in young children.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2016

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“…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.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2015

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Aims/hypothesis Hypoglycaemia is associated with reduced skin temperature (Ts). We studied whether infrared thermography can detect Ts changes during hypoglycaemia in patients with type 1 diabetes and how the Ts response differs between patients with normal hypoglycaemia awareness and hypoglycaemia unawareness. Methods Twenty-four patients with type 1 diabetes (ten aware, 14 unaware) were studied during normoglycaemia (5.0-6.0 mmol/l), hypoglycaemia (2.0-2.5 mmol/l) and during recovery from hypoglycaemia (5.0-6.0 mmol/l) using hyperinsulinaemic glucose clamping. During each 1 h phase, Ts was measured twice by infrared thermography imaging in pre-defined areas (nose, glabella and the five left fingertips), symptoms of hypoglycaemia were scored and blood was sampled.Results Ts decreased during hypoglycaemia on the nose and glabella. The highest decrements were recorded on the nose (aware: −2.6°C, unaware: −1.1°C). In aware patients, the differences in temperature were statistically significant on both nose and glabella, whereas there was only a trend in the unaware group. There was a significant difference in hypoglycaemia-induced temperature changes between the groups. Patients in the aware group had higher hypoglycaemia symptom scores and higher adrenaline (epinephrine) levels during hypoglycaemia. Conclusions/interpretation The hypoglycaemia-associated decrement in Ts can be assessed by infrared thermography Diabetologia (2015) 58:1898-1906 DOI 10.1007 Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00125-015-3616-6) contains peer-reviewed but unedited supplementary material, which is available to authorised users. and is larger in patients with normal hypoglycaemia awareness compared with unaware patients.

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“…In chronic disorders that begin in childhood, such as type 1 DM, vascular disturbances manifesting as skin temperature changes have been found . Infrared thermography has also been used to assess scleroderma , hemangiomas, vascular malformations, burns , digit amputations, extremity thrombosis, abscesses, fractures and wound infections in the paediatric population .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining peripheral skin temperature: subjective versus objective measurements

et al. 2015

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Infrared thermography is useful for ruling out fractures in paediatric emergencies

Abstract: The high negative predictive value of infrared thermography suggests that it is a promising method for ruling out fractures.

Cited by 31 publications

References 13 publications

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

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

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

Determining peripheral skin temperature: subjective versus objective measurements

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