Thermographic assessment of skin prick tests in comparison with the routine evaluation methods

Abstract

IntroductionThe skin prick test is still the first and basic procedure in the diagnosis of allergic diseases. The possibility of using a sensitive thermographic method supported by the mathematical model for the assessment of skin test results will be highlighted in the studies.AimTo compare the proposed approach with routine planimetric and thermographic methods.Material and methodsA mathematical model of allergic reaction was developed. Simplifying assumptions of the IgE-mediated skin reaction is the essence of the model. Investigations were performed in a group of 40 patients.ResultsUsing the spatio-temporal evolution of temperature distributions, the ratios of the histamine released from mast cells to the control histamine were determined. The obtained values very well correlate with the standard evaluation of skin prick tests (correlation coefficient = 0.98).ConclusionsThe proposed method of skin test evaluation presents several advantages. The continuous acquisition of data provides the monitoring of time course of the allergic response. The transport of mediator and its concentration were distinctly discriminated, which may be diagnostically useful, especially for abnormal cases. The high sensitivity of the method enables studying patients regardless of age and skin sensitivity.

Thermo‐SPT: A new skin prick test evaluation framework based on low‐cost, portable smartphone thermography

“…[7][8][9] Previous studies, such as the research by Phipatanakul et al laid the foundation for the use of thermal imaging in skin prick test, 10 and it has been suggested that thermographical imaging systems could be useful to diagnose allergic diseases, but the implementation of this technology into clinical practice remains a concern. 9,[11][12][13][14] The aim of this study was to introduce a cutting-edge SPT evaluation framework utilizing a low-cost, portable smartphone thermography application to improve the accuracy and reliability of SPT outcomes for allergen-induced skin reactions. Experiment trials were conducted to evaluate its use to be able to increase the repeatability and applicability of the IRT imaging modality in clinical settings.…”

“…IRT is a non‐invasive and contactless method that uses infrared radiation to monitor skin surface temperature in the human body 7–9 . Previous studies, such as the research by Phipatanakul et al laid the foundation for the use of thermal imaging in skin prick test, 10 and it has been suggested that thermographical imaging systems could be useful to diagnose allergic diseases, but the implementation of this technology into clinical practice remains a concern 9,11–14 …”

Calorimetry in Allergy Diagnostic

“…For this reason, it is necessary to initially capture the skin areas and reposition the arm (Figure 3). Most studies do not analyze the initial skin temperature, although it is the starting point for the temperature change [6][7][8]. There were no statistically significant differences in skin temperatures prior to the test when subcutaneous main blood vessels were avoided [9].…”

“…Allergic inflammation in the negative reactions is absent, so the researchers did not report a change in temperature in them [8,11,12].…”