- Email: [email protected]
Liquid crystal thermography (L.C.T.) and “bony sciatica”. A preliminary report
LIQUID CRYSTAL THERMOGRAPHY (L.C.T.) AND "BONY SCIATICA". A PRELIMINARY REPORT. G.H.MillsK G.K.Davies J.Conway* C.J.M.Getty4e.Sheffield Problem Back Clinic, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, England. ,Aim of InvestiPation: A study designed to evaluate thermography as a in to arise specifically from lumbo-sacral lateral spinal recess stenosis. L.C.T. was to be compared with clinical impression, electromyography (EMG) myelography and objective surgical findings. Methods: 107 consecutive patients evaluated by a single orthopaedic surgeon were referred for thermography, 60 also had myelography and 27 electromyography.19 patients had surgery. The thermograms were assessed using a quantitative analysis technique to demonstrate corresponding dermatomal temperature difference in the lower limbs. A normal population sample (n=28) was also evaluated to determine the corresponding dermatomal tempature difference.From this data a positi;e result was recorded in the study group when the difference was)/1 0 c. Results: There was 53% agreement in both positive and negative cases between L.C.T. and clinical findings, 41% with 9fX and 45% with myelography. Operative findings recorded by a surgeon blind to the results of thermography were in agreement in 51% of cases. Conclusions: Previous reports have confirmed the value of thermography. This study was restricted to probable cases of lumbo-sacral lateral spinal recess stenosis. Our present results suggest that L.C.T. does not have a role as a test in the investigation of "bony sciatica".
THERMOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION IN THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PSYCHOGENIC VS. ORGANIC FACTORS IN PAIN PATIENTS. K.E. Shandell, A. Hutchison*, S. Saboda*, Pain Treatment Center of San Diego, San Diego, CA 92108 USA Aim of Investigation: Infra-Red electronic thermography represents a new objective aid in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue injury. Physiological changes in a thermal distribution were identified and correlated with muscle spasm, inflammation and dermatomal distribution. This study examines the use of thermography in further assessing patients with complaints of pain in whom psychogenic/psychologicalfactors are suspected. Methods: Patients referred for evaluation at an outpatient pain center wermed thermographically and psychologically. The areas of subjective complaints were scanned using AGA Electronic Infra-Red camera, Thermovision model #782. The results were then reviewed by a M.D,.(qualified clinical thermologist). All individuals were examined psychologically by a board certified psychiatrist. A comparison was made of the results of the thermographic and psychological evaluations. Results: A significant correlation was demonstrated between essentially normal thermographic studies and evidence of psychopathology. Conversely, abnormal thermographic studies were noted when psychological relationship was without gross evidence of pathology. An inversely proportional relationship was demonstrated between thermographic studies and psychopathology. Conclusion: Electronic thermography is a significant tool in the examination of patients complaining of pain, particularly when the differential diagnosis of soft tissue and psychogenic factors are involved. The implications for increased diagnostic accuracy should results in improved treatment specificity.
THERMOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION IN THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PSYCHOGENIC VS. ORGANIC FACTORS IN PAIN PATIENTS. K.E. Shandell, A. Hutchison*, S. Saboda*, Pain Treatment Center of San Diego, San Diego, CA 92108 USA Aim of Investigation: Infra-Red electronic thermography represents a new objective aid in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue injury. Physiological changes in a thermal distribution were identified and correlated with muscle spasm, inflammation and dermatomal distribution. This study examines the use of thermography in further assessing patients with complaints of pain in whom psychogenic/psychologicalfactors are suspected. Methods: Patients referred for evaluation at an outpatient pain center wermed thermographically and psychologically. The areas of subjective complaints were scanned using AGA Electronic Infra-Red camera, Thermovision model #782. The results were then reviewed by a M.D,.(qualified clinical thermologist). All individuals were examined psychologically by a board certified psychiatrist. A comparison was made of the results of the thermographic and psychological evaluations. Results: A significant correlation was demonstrated between essentially normal thermographic studies and evidence of psychopathology. Conversely, abnormal thermographic studies were noted when psychological relationship was without gross evidence of pathology. An inversely proportional relationship was demonstrated between thermographic studies and psychopathology. Conclusion: Electronic thermography is a significant tool in the examination of patients complaining of pain, particularly when the differential diagnosis of soft tissue and psychogenic factors are involved. The implications for increased diagnostic accuracy should results in improved treatment specificity.