[Contact thermography in assessing inflammatory joint diseases]

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Medical Imaging
• Dermatology

Background:

• Cutaneous hyperthermia is a key symptom in inflammatory joint diseases and activated arthroses.
• Arthritis and arthrosis exhibit distinct patterns and extents of hyperthermia.
• Differentiating between these conditions is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the utility of contact thermography in distinguishing between various joint diseases.
• To correlate thermographic findings with clinical symptoms and disease course.
• To establish differential diagnostic criteria between arthrosis and rheumatoid arthritis using thermography.

Main Methods:

• Contact thermography was employed to assess symptoms and signs in patients with different joint diseases.
• The distribution and localization of temperature changes in affected joints were analyzed.
• Clinical findings were considered alongside thermographic data.

Main Results:

• Distinct localizations of temperature changes were observed in affected joints.
• These thermographic patterns, combined with clinical data, suggest potential for differential diagnosis.
• Specific temperature distributions aid in distinguishing arthrosis from rheumatoid arthritis.

Conclusions:

• Contact thermography can assist in the differential diagnosis of joint diseases like arthrosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Thermography reveals specific temperature change localizations indicative of different pathologies.
• The study suggests contact thermography is not optimal for monitoring disease progression.