Diagnostic Value of Infrared Thermography in Arteriosclerosis Obliterans of Lower Extremities
GAO Yuan, YU Wen-hui, YANG Xu, et al.
Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin (150040), China
Abstract:
Objective Infrared thermography is used to image the body surface temperature of human lower limbs directly. The data images of the average temperature of subjects’ thighs, calves, back of feet, toes and soles were observed and analyzed. It provides quantification and visualization indexes for the diagnostic value of infrared thermography for lower limb arteriosclerosis obliteration. Methods Fifty patients with lower limb arteriosclerosis occlusion in Ⅱ period and Ⅲ period were selected and 20 patients were as healthy control group. The infrared images of the lower limbs were collected by infrared thermal imager for comparative analysis. Results The normal infrared thermography showed that the skin temperature distribution of the lower limbs was symmetrical. The infrared thermography of lower extremity in patients with lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliteration was not evenly distributed. Thermal images of patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans in the lower extremities showed varying degrees of blue or blue-black cold changes in the distal extremities of the lower extremities. The mean temperature of thigh, calf, back, toes and sole of the observation group was statistically significant compared with that of the control group (P<0.05). Patients with lower limb arteriosclerosis occlusion disorder in Ⅲ period had lower body skin temperature in limb thigh, leg, foot back, toes, and foot compared with patients in Ⅱ period, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion Infrared thermography can be used to diagnose arteriosclerosis obliterans of lower extremities, which can sensitively show the temperature difference of lower extremities. In addition, the patient suffered no pain during the infrared imaging examination, and the disease information and image of the patient were easy to be stored.
