Ultrasound‐guided lateral infraclavicular block evaluated by infrared thermography and distal skin temperature

Abstract

Four different thermographic patterns were found. Simultaneous increases in skin temperature of both the 2nd and 5th digits predicted lateral infraclavicular block success with a positive predictive value of 100%. Digit skin temperature ≤ 30 °C 30 min after performing the block indicated block failure.

“Eyeball test” of thermographic patterns for predicting a successful lateral infraclavicular block

“…The camera was fixed approximately 1.3 m above the patient's hands. 8 From the data in the study by Asghar et al, we established that a temperature scale adjustment to 30-37°C on the thermographic images would give good visual discrimination between failed and successful blocks.…”

“…Forty-five patients were included for assessment 8 ; however, five patients did not complete the study, as one patient had a toxic reaction, two patients were unable to keep their hands still, and two patients had poor-quality thermographic images. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated data from 40 patients.…”

“…We conducted this observational study after receiving approval of the study protocol from the Committees on Biomedical Research Ethics of the Capital Region of Denmark (H-C-2008-047, May 2008; amendment approved December 2011). The study protocol and prospective assessments and interventions presented in this study were based on data previously described and published by Asghar et al 8,9 After we obtained written informed consent, adult patients who were American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-III and scheduled for hand and/or forearm surgery were enrolled in the study. Before performing each block, both of the patient's hands were acclimatized for at least ten minutes in the recovery ward with 5°C cold packs.…”

“…6,7 Asghar et al studied a cohort of patients who received a lateral infraclavicular (LIC) block in a standardized setting. 8,9 The authors showed that the use of thermography or sense by touch to measure the difference in temperature between a blocked and a nonblocked hand was valid for predicting block success. In addition, they observed four distinct thermographic patterns representing block success, partial failure, or complete block failure following a LIC block.…”

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.…”