[Electrothermometry in inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial area and mandibular fractures]

Electrothermometry of the face skin was carried out in 63 patients with maxillofacial inflammatory diseases and mandibular fractures and in 20 normal subjects. A positive temperature gradient of 0.5 degrees C and higher evidenced an acute inflammation without suppuration. A negative temperature gradient of 0.5 degrees C and more indicated an acute inflammatory disease with suppuration. A lowering of skin temperature above the central portion of the infiltrate by 0.5 degrees C and more as against the peripheral portions of the infiltrate also pointed to suppuration at the center of the infiltrate. Electrothermometry results may be used to specify the indications for surgical treatment of developing suppuration foci.