Thermal patterns in zoster.
BACKGROUND
Varicella zoster virus is a neurotropic virus that causes an infectious disease characterized by skin changes and neuropathic pain. After the resolution of the first infection, the virus lies dormant within the sensory ganglia. The reactivation of the virus causes zoster. An alteration in skin infrared emission might be expected in the areas of the skin affected by inflammatory changes and demyelination of the affected peripheral nerve.


OBJECTIVE
To establish the importance of thermal imaging in the follow up of Zoster Zone with different localization. An infrared thermal camera was used in order to assess if the evolution of the disease determines a thermal pattern.


RESULTS
Infrared thermography can be used for the assessment of the affected area also by using a thermography camera that is sensitive to the infrared spectrum. An intense and diffuse infrared emission is highly suggestive for the inflammation and implies that a more aggressive treatment should be initiated. After the clinical resolution of the affected area, the symmetry of the thermal pattern should be restored. If the asymmetry persists, a neuropathic complication of the virus reactivation could be involved.


CONCLUSIONS
The integration of infrared thermography with the clinical findings is very useful in order to create a complete picture of the zoster lesions and this method could determine the beginning of a correct treatment and, by doing so, minimizing the risk of complications.
Department of Dermatology, Elias University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.
I M
IM
Cojocaru
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Elias University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.
M C
MC
Cojocaru
Department of Dermatology, Elias University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania ; "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
V M
VM
Voiculescu
Polimed Clinic, Bucharest, Romania.
O B
OB
Bozdoc-Ionescu
Department of Dermatology, Clinical and Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.
A M
AM
Cartog
Department of Dermatology, Elias University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania ; "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
C
C
Giurcaneanu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000150:complications; D012074:Remission Induction; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013696:Temperature
inflammation; neuropathic pain; skin changes; thermography; varicella zoster virus