[The role computerized telethermography in the diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome]

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a form of extraarticular rheumatism of unknown origin; its diagnosis is fundamentally based on clinical and anamnestic findings, on characteristics of pain and on number and sites of tender points, very painful areas to palpation. At present there is no laboratory or instrumental test available for a more objective diagnosis. The Authors verified the utility of telethermography for fibromyalgia syndrome diagnosis to point out a possible specific pattern; in particular the tender points were studied, even to find some analogy to myofascial syndromes trigger points, which appear as hot spot to telethermography. The telethermographic patterns of 156 patients with fibromyalgia syndrome have been compared with tender point maps obtained from same subjects and with telethermographic data of patients affected by spine osteoarthritis and normal controls. The patients with fibromyalgia syndrome showed a non specific hyperthermic pattern, corresponding to painful muscular areas, comparable with pattern of osteoarthritic patients. This phenomenon can be interpreted as a greater thermic emission by hypertonic muscles. Therefore, telethermography in fibromyalgia syndrome cannot represent a basic diagnostic tool but can support the clinical diagnosis and play an important role in the follow-up of patients.