Thermographic and scintigraphic examination of the early phase of inflammatory disease.
Modern imaging techniques can be a valuable aid to the rheumatologist. Isotope scans, particularly technetium diphosphonate, can give very early localisation of inflammatory activity. Infra-red thermography can also provide early data, and is completely non-invasive. In drug assessment, thermography is particularly useful, quantifying the anti-inflammatory effects, which may be more rapid in the small joints and slower in joints such as the knee. Given that many anti-inflammatory drugs are analgesic at a low dose yet may improve subjective function e.g. grip test, there is a definite role for objective measurement of true anti-inflammatory effects. The methodology is now well proven and easily used in clinical practice.
D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate; D013817:Thermography
D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate