Infrared thermography in vascular disorders - screening and follow-up

Side-to-side differences and local variations in temperature are the most significant factors for identifying pathology findings. The infrared image provides information for broad regions of interest rather than merely the local temperature of a small area currently in use of screening diabetic feet. IRT is a useful tool in prevention, especially in high risk patients with diabetes, allowing even asymptomatic skin temperature-related symptoms such as inflammation to be detected earlier.

Diabetes constitutes a growing healthcare burden and diabetes-related foot problems are the leading cause of hospitalization among diabetics. Atherosclerosis is also a common disease of the lower extremities and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has become an indicator for generalized atherosclerosis. However, PAD is less well known than coronary and cerebral artery disease, and this impairs the diagnosis and treatment of the disease and the management of risk factors.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of infrared thermography in clinical work in patients with circulatory disorders compared to conventional non-invasive methods.

Side-to-side differences and local variations in temperature are the most significant factors for identifying pathology findings in both patients with diabetes or PAD. After successful revascularization, these side-to-sidelateral differences decrease and skin temperature differences were moderate during follow-up. Diabetes-related neuropathy raises the skin temperature. Surprisingly, even if toe pressure or oxygen pressure of the tissue decreases, skin temperature rises significantly. Also, an ulcer without inflammation raises the skin temperature. Individual variations in skin temperature are broad, however, and infrared thermography might not be sufficient as a single screening measurement in a clinical use among patients with vascular disorders, but it does have the potential for providing additional information.