[The usefulness of thermography as a diagnostic method in dermatology on the basis of clinical trials in 2001-2005].
BACKGROUND
Thermal imaging is a powerful tool for the study of temperature of the human body. Even though the skin lies superficially and as such is an ideal object for thermography, the method has not gained widespread acceptance as a diagnostic modality in dermatology. The aim of this study was to describe the methodology of thermography for applications in dermatology and to develop a method for computer processing ofthermograms. In addition, we searched for skin factors, which could be responsible for false results in thermography and errors during interpretation of thermal images.


METHODS
Clinical trials were performed in 2001-2005. We enrolled 230 patients, including 70 who were hospitalized at the Department of Dermatology and Venereal Diseases, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, and 160 who were referred from the Outpatient Dermatology Clinic. The control group consisted of 20 healthy volunteers. The skin was examined to disclose primary and secondary skin lesions. Thermography was performed according to recommendations of the European Association of Thermology. Therma CAM SC500 infrared camera was used and the thermograms were analyzed with Therma CAM 200 Professional software.


RESULTS
1. Areas of the skin with inflammatory reactions resulting from allergy, infection or other process causing local hyperthermia could be visualized. 2. Primary eruptions (papules, nodules) and secondary eruptions (scales) presenting as hypothermia in thermography were found in the skin of the patients and some individuals from the control group. 3. Interpretation of thermograms in dermatoses can be done using various colour scales, like "rain", "iron", "medical", "grey", "greyred" and the three-dimensional scale.


CONCLUSIONS
1. Thermography is a useful diagnostic method in dermatology. 2. The normal thermogram, as well as thermograms specific for various dermatoses need to be described. 3. Compliance is indispensable with rules and principles concerning the examination itself, as well as analysis and clinical interpretation of the results. 4. The person performing the examination and interpreting the thermograms should take part in history-taking and physical examination of the patient and should be familiar with photographic documentation of the examined regions of the skin.
Mikulska
Danuta
D
Klinika Chorób Skórnych i Wenerycznych, Pomorskiej Akademii Medycznej, al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin.
Maleszka
Romuald
R
Parafiniuk
Mirosław
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001831:Body Temperature; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013817:Thermography / Q000379:methods*