No abstract available.
Thermography

BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a painful and disabling disease, yet the diagnosis of this can be difficult to confirm by purely objective measures. Therefore, we performed three-phasic bone scans and thermography as a work up in order to determine their predictive value and usefulness for making the diagnosis of CRPS. METHODS: 44 patients who had been diagnosed with CRPS type-1, according to the modified criteria, were evaluated. All the patients were examined by performing a three-phasic bone scan and thermography as part of a work-up for diagnostic confirmation. The diffuse increased tracer uptake in the delayed image (phase III) was estimated by the positive findings. The findings were considered positive for CRPS if the thermographic findings showed temperature asymmetries between the affected and non-affected extremities of more than 1.00 degrees C RESULTS: A review of the three-phasic bone scan for 44 patients indicated that 16 patients (36.4%) had diffusely positive scans, and thermographic abnormalities were noted in 35 of 44 patients (79.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of thermography in clinical settings can play an important role in the diagnosis of CRPS. However, a three-phasic bone scan alone cannot provide a completely accurate diagnosis, so it is imperative that the three-phasic bone scan data be integrated with the clinical evaluation and the other relevant tests.
Diagnosis* ; Extremities ; Humans ; Thermography*

This study was performed to evaluate the temperature rise on various position of the Buchanan plugger, the peak temperature of plugger's type and the temperature change by its touching time of heat control spring. The heat carrier system 'System B'(Model 1005, Analytic Technologies, USA) and the Buchanan's pluggers of F, FM, M and ML sizes are used for this study. The temperature was set to 200degrees C which Dr. Buchanan's "continuous wave of condensation" technique recommended on digital display and the power level on it was set to 10. In order to apply heat on the Buchanan's pluggers, the heat control spring was touched for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 seconds respectively. The temperature rise on the surface of the pluggers were measured at 0.5 mm intervals from tip to 20 mm length of shank using the infrared thermography (Radiation Thermometer-IR Temper, NEC San-ei Instruments, Ltd, Japan) and TH31-702 Data capture software program (NEC San-ei Instruments, Ltd, Japan). Data were analyzed using a one way ANOVA followed by Duncan's multiple range test and linear regression test. The results as follows. 1. The position at which temperature peaked was approximately at 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm far from the tip of Buchanan's pluggers (p<0.001). The temperature was constantly decreased toward the shank from the tip of it (p<0.001). 2. When the pluggers were heated over 5 seconds, the peak temperature by time of measurement revealed from 253.3+/-10.5degrees C to 192.1+/-3.3degrees C in a touch for 1 sec, from 218.6+/-5.0degrees C to 179.5+/-4.2degrees C in a touch for 2 sec, from 197.5+/-3.0degrees C to 167.6+/-3.7degrees C in a touch for 3 sec, from 183.7+/-2.5degrees C to 159.8+/-3.6degrees C in a touch for 4 sec and from 164.9+/-2.0degrees C to 158.4+/-1.8degrees C in a touch for 5 sec. A touch for 1 sec showed the highest peak temperature, followed by, in descending order, 2 sec, 3 sec, 4 sec. A touch for 5 sec showed the lowest peak temperature (p<0.001). 3. A each type of pluggers showed different peak temperatures. The peak temperature was the highest in F type and followed by, in descending order, M type, ML type. FM type revealed the lowest peak temperature (p<0.001). The results of this study indicated that pluggers are designed to concentrate heat at around its tip, its actual temperature does not correlate well with the temperature which Buchanan's "continuous wave of condensation" technique recommend, and finally a quick touch of heat control spring for 1sec reveals the highest temperature rise.
Hot Temperature ; Linear Models ; Thermography

OBJECTIVE: To verify that whether or not through the effects of the externally and internally related meridians in treatment, Lieque (LU 7) is adopted specially for the disorders of the head and neck. METHODS: A total of 36 healthy volunteers were collected from the students of Gansu University of CM and were divided into a Lieque group and a Jingqu group according to the random number table, 18 cases in each one. In the Lieque group, Lieque (LU 7) on the unilateral side was punctured in the subjects. In the Jingqu group, Jingqu (LU 8) was taken as the control because it was located close to Lieque (LU 7) and on the same meridian. Before and after acupuncture in the two groups, separately, the infrared thermography was adopted to determine the temperature changes at the acupoints of the lung meridian of hand-, i.e. Jingqu (LU 8), Lieque (LU 7), Kongzui (LU 6), Chize (LU 5) and Tianfu (LU 3) as well as the acupoints of the large intestine meridian of hand-, i.e., Wenliu (LI 7), Shousanli (LI 10), Quchi (LI 11), Shouwuli (LI 13) and Binao (LI 14). RESULTS: After acupuncture stimulation at Lieque (LU 7), the temperature at the acupoints of the lung meridian of hand-, i.e. Jingqu (LU 8), Lieque (LU 7), Kongzui (LU 6), Chize (LU 5) and Tianfu (LU 3) and the acupoints of the large intestine meridian of hand-, i.e. Wenliu (LI 7), Shousanli (LI 10), Quchi (LI 11), Shouwuli (LI 13) and Binao (LI 14) was all higher obviously as compared with the temperature before acupuncture stimulation (all <0.05). After acupuncture stimulation at Jingqu (LU 8), the temperature at the acupoints of the lung meridian of hand- was all increased obviously as compared with the temperature before acupuncture stimulation (all <0.05), but there was no significant difference in the temperature at the large intestine meridian of hand- (all >0.05). CONCLUSION For the disorders of the head and neck, acupuncture at Lieque (LU 7) achieves the stimulation and communication of both the lung meridian and the large intestine meridians, so that it is applicable for the disorders of the externally and internally related meridians.
Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Meridians ; Thermography

Thermography is a sensitive and reliable method for diagnosis of radiculopathy. Skin temperature alterations of the involved dermatome named thermatone are diagnostic for sensory root involvement in radiculopathy which can be demonstrated by thermography. Digital infrared thermographic imaging system using computer is development and could measure thermal difference more exactly without hazards or discomforts to patient. Authors present 186 cases of thermographic evaluation in herniated lumbar disc disease by digital infrared thermographic imging system and the results are evaluated with literature review.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Radiculopathy ; Skin Temperature ; Thermography

BACKGROUND: Being a subjective symptom, an objective evaluation of pain and severity is important in the diagnosis and detection of treatment outcome. This study examined the usefulness of infrared thermography for the objective evaluation of pain, irrespective of the original disease. METHODS: Patients with unilateral pain who underwent nerve block were randomly selected. Infrared thermography was performed and subjective pain site and severity were assessed before and after nerve block. RESULTS: The temperature difference between the pain site and the contralateral site was significantly correlated with subjective pain severity before and after block (P < 0.01). Improvements in VAS were correlated with temperature difference decrement between both sides after nerve block (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Infrared thermal imaging can demonstrate subjective pain objectively. Thermal differences between the pain sites and the contralateral sites are an indicator of pain scale in a patient with ipsilateral pain. Moreover the thermal difference may be a useful means of determining outcome.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Nerve Block* ; Thermography* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: There is still debate about the diagnostic efficacy of digital infrared thermographic imaging(DITI), nevertheless, it has been used for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS). We performed comparative study between patient and control groups to investigate the diagnostic value of DITI in CTS. METHODS: We studied 27 patients with electrodiagnostically-proven CTS and 18 symptom-free volunteers as a control. We measured thermal difference on DITI in the corresponding regions of the hands and forearms. We statistically analyzed the thermal data using a t-test. RESULTS: The average thermal difference in the diagnosed patient group ranged from 0.0303 degrees C to 0.2856 degrees C, while that in control group ranged from 0.0611 degrees C to 0.2878 degrees C. In the CTS patient group, thermal difference between each 2nd finger was higher than that of other regions. However, there was no statistical significance between patient and control groups. CONCLUSION: We found that the diagnostic value of DITI in CTS was not sufficient. There should be a reconsideration of the usefulness of DITI in CTS.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Diagnosis* ; Fingers ; Forearm ; Hand ; Humans ; Thermography* ; Volunteers

Thermography shows the skin temperature changes in various conditions of the body. The skin temperature varies according to subcutaneous blood flow under the control of autonomic nervous system. Lumbar radiculopathy due to disc hernation makes difference in the temperature of lower extremities caused by the changes in general functions and autonomic functions of the nerve root. Digital infrared thermographic imaging(DITI) system has been used to diagnose radiculopathy without any hazards or discomforts and shows the pain due to LDH by objective change of temperature. This study has used DITIs of 55 control cases and 217 cases of LDH patients and analysed it statistically. In the room the temperature stable at 20 degrees C, the temperature distribution of the lower extremities of the control cases ranged from 24.9 degrees C to 29.9 degrees C. The significant minimal temperature difference between right and left lower extremities range from 0.1 degrees C to 0.4 degrees C. The more distal, the greater the temperature difference was. The thermatome of L4, L5 and S1 was drawn in radiating type and spot type. The thermatome showed larger area than the sensory dermatome and sympathetic dermatome. There was significant increase or decrease of temperature in thermatome in LDH patients. In conclusion, preoperative DITI of the LDH patient can be helpful for diagnosing the level of LDH and the areas of pain.
Autonomic Nervous System ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Radiculopathy ; Skin Temperature ; Thermography

Atypical facial pain (AFP) is a type of facial pain which does not fulfill any other diagnosis. It has several features such as no objective signs, no obvious explanation of the cause and poor response to treatments. We report a case of a female patient with AFP on the left maxillary area. The pain was increased by cold innocuous stimulation and thermography showed that the temperature on the painful area was significantly decreased. The pain was successfully alleviated by stellate ganglion block (SGB). Therefore, SGB can be effectively used to treat AFP.
Diagnosis ; Facial Pain* ; Female ; Humans ; Stellate Ganglion* ; Thermography

BACKGROUND: Herpetic disorders cause pain and skin lesion. So, asymmetric temperature of both sides of the involving dermatome has been reported in thermogram. This study examined the usefulness of infrared thermography for a predictor of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). METHODS: Patients with acute herpes zoster who underwent nerve block were randomly selected. Biographic data, including age, gender and times of onset of the skin lesions, development of PHN, combined diseases were recorded. Infrared thermography was performed and subjective pain severity, dysesthesia and allodynia, skin lesion size were assessed. RESULTS: The temperature differences between the lesion site and the contralateral site at lateral and posterior were significantly correlated with lesion size (P < 0.01) and the temperature differences at anterior and lateral site were correlated with duration of disease (ant: P < 0.01, lat: P < 0.05). The temperature differences were not correlated with the pain severity, dysesthesia and allodynia (P > 0.05). PHN was correlated with skin lesion size and infrared thermal imaging (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Infrared thermal imaging cannot demonstrate subjective pain objectively in herpes zoster. Short duration showed high temperature on the lesion sites compared to the contralateral sites. The patients with big skin lesions developed PHN more. The PHN can be predicted by the infrared thermal imaging as low temperature on the lesion site compared to the contralateral site.
Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Nerve Block ; Neuralgia ; Paresthesia ; Skin ; Thermography