Hemodynamic 3D Infrared Thermal Stereoscopic Imaging (TSI) Investiga- tion in Chronic Vascular Leg Ulcers: A...

Hemodynamic 3D infrared thermal stereoscopic imaging (TSI) was tested as a new non-invasive diagnostic method for studying chron- ic vascular leg ulcers. The aim was to test this new diagnostic approach in investigating mixed arterio-venous wounds. Duplex ultrasonography is the most useful test for investigating hemodynamic alterations in patients with vascular cutaneous ulcers; however, it fails to provide any information about microvascular dysfunctions, which could play a sig- nificant role in the development of skin wounds. The study of thermal patterns at the wound site represents a method of investigating cu- taneous microcirculation-temperature gradients indicating abnormal blood flow in the margins and bed of wounds with vascular disorders are well correlated with clinical findings.

In order to evaluate the predominance of the arterial or venous component in vascular mixed ulcers of the leg and to understand the underlying pathology of the ulcers, 3D thermography was tested in three different hemodynamic positions. A total of 20 physiological and 20 pathological patients were assessed standing, supine, or in a discharging position (legs raised above heart level).

A relatively constant temperature trend was observed in healthy subjects, while a different reaction was recorded in those with ulcerated legs. Moreover, a different temperature trend was noted among the varying hemodynamic positions and a trend differ- ence was also observed between arterial and venous ulcers in clinical investigation tests.

TSI appears to be a safe, user-friendly, rapid, and promising procedure for distinguishing both arterial and ve- nous involvement in mixed arterio-venous leg ulcers. .