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Summary
Thermography can detect sympathetic nervous system disturbances and skin circulation changes after injury. Early thermographic findings aid in diagnosing conditions like reflex sympathetic dystrophy, potentially preventing chronic disability.
Area of Science:
- Pain Management
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Posttraumatic pain involves sympathetic nervous system disturbances affecting skin microcirculation.
- Skin circulatory changes correlate with altered superficial thermal emission.
- Thermography reliably images these thermal emission changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present classic thermographic patterns associated with common injuries.
- To illustrate thermographic findings in conditions like reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
- To highlight thermography's role in early diagnosis and treatment initiation.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing thermography to image superficial thermal emission.
- Analyzing thermographic patterns along cutaneous nerve distributions and dermatomes.
- Observing thermographic abnormalities in conditions affecting entire extremities.
Main Results:
- Thermographic patterns correlate with specific injuries and nerve distributions.
- Abnormal thermographic findings can precede other diagnostic signs.
- Thermography can identify widespread circulatory changes in reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
Conclusions:
- Thermography offers early detection of sympathetic nervous system dysfunction post-injury.
- Prompt diagnosis via thermography facilitates effective treatment, especially for reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
- Normal thermographic results, alongside other exams, can support the diagnosis of malingering.