Evaluating physiological progression of chronic tibial osteomyelitis using infrared thermography

Medical infrared thermography (IRT) was used as a complementary means for the clinical evaluation of musculoskeletal trauma and progression chronic tibial osteomyelitis. Twenty-two adult patients with medical diagnosis osteomyelitis were followed up by IRT performed along standard radiography. Thermal data affected limb compared those healthy contralateral based on thermal profile lower limbs per guideline (32 °C). Data acquired in following regions limb: proximal tibia, diaphysis, distal using FLIR camera, processed MATLAB®. For active infections, an increase average temperature above + 1.0 °C observed when contralateral. The wound region showed increased (32.3 °C) (31.4 In contrast, latent differences small, generally below 0.3 °C, thus within threshold normality. areas diagnosed reduced blood supply, to − 5.7 normal. Additionally, initial range (26.5 34.5 decreased during treatment 29.8 34.1 indicating convergence toward has significant potential imaging modality follow-up bone lesions it does not use ionizing radiation, allowing repetitive desired. images show important physiological information related vascularization necessary repair, well provide good indication boundary infected area, adjacent trauma, which is useful positioning radiography equipment. However, should be noted that cannot replace other techniques, provides about skin directly evaluate interior body.