DIAGNOSTIC
THERMOGRAPHY
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
What
is Diagnostic Thermography?
Diagnostic
Thermography is the pictorial
representation of the surface temperature of an object. This non-invasive
technique is used to detect inflammation and measure emitted heat. The
circulatory pattern and relative blood flow dictate the thermal pattern, which
is the basis for thermographic interpretation.
Why
use Diagnostic Thermography?
Thermography
is an ideal imaging tool to aid in the diagnosis of certain lameness conditions
in the horse because of the ability to noninvasibly assess inflammatory
changes. Thermography may provide a useful indicator of low-grade inflammation
and help to identify early tendonitis, PSD, and splint development.
In addition, thermography is an excellent adjunct to clinical examination
as well as being complementary to other imaging techniques such as radiology,
ultrasonography and nuclear scintigraphy.
Handheld
thermographic imaging is becoming extremely popular in equine racing and sport
horse industries around the world.
How
is Diagnostic Thermography performed?
Thermography uses the same basic, non-invasive principles
of regular camera photography. The horse is viewed through a thermographic camera that
looks and is used like a handheld camera. The animal is scanned for the heat
patterns that are produced. White areas are considered hottest, which black
portions are the coldest. The colors in between denote gradual declines or
increases between these two colors. The
examination must be performed in a draft-free room protected from sunlight.
The hair coat must be of uniform length.
Clipped areas or regions that have been bandaged or had topical
applications produce inaccurate results.
What are the benefits of utilizing this
modality?
Thermography
is a physiologic imaging method that has the ability to identify changes in heat
and to locate areas of suspicion. A difference of one degree between two
anatomically symmetric regions indicates a region of inflammation. Thermography
enhances the physical examination. Thermography cameras are approximately 10
times more sensitive than the human hand in determining temperature difference.
Considering
the human hand can only detect a temperature difference of at least 3° - 5°
C whereas a thermographic camera can detect a difference of 0 .1°
C, this is like comparing the use of pen & paper to the speed and efficiency
of computer skills.
Thermographic changes occur two weeks before many clinical changes; therefore,
thermography can be used as a preventative measure in a training program to
identify subclinical problems so that conditioning alterations can be made to
avoid injuries.
What
conditions can be identified with Diagnostic Thermography?
CONDITIONS OF
THE FOOT
JOINT DISEASES
LONG BONE INJURIES
TENDON INJURIES
LIGAMENT
INJURIES
MUSCLE INJURIES
VERTEBRAL COLUMN INJURIES
LUXATIONS,
SUBLUXATIONS
FRACTURES
Dr.
Lyda W. Denney NYSHHAP
Coordinator 12-‘07