scholarly journals 1033. Skin Surface Thermal Imaging to Differentiate Cellulitis and Pseudocellulitis in the Emergency Department

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S607-S607
Author(s):  
Michael Pulia ◽  
Rebecca Schwei ◽  
Edward Harwick ◽  
Ambar Haleem ◽  
Jamie Hess ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cellulitis is misdiagnosed in up to 30% of cases, resulting in overuse of antibiotics. This represents a threat to patient safety and public health. Surface thermal imaging has been proposed as a tool to reduce errors in diagnosing cellulitis. The study objective was to compare skin surface temperature measurements between patients with cellulitis and pseudocellulitis. Methods We prospectively enrolled patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with dermatologic lower extremity complaints that involved visible erythema. Using a thermal imaging camera, the maximum temperature value (Tmax) for the affected area of skin and corresponding area on an unaffected limb were captured. The Tmax gradient between the affected and unaffected limb was calculated. Gold standard diagnosis (cellulitis versus pseudocellulitis) was determined by consensus of a blinded, multidisciplinary physician review panel (two infectious disease, two dermatologists and two emergency medicine). Differences in temperature variables (Tmax and Tmax gradient) between cellulitis and pseudocellulitis were compared using t-tests. Results The sample included 204 participants, 59% male with an average age of 57 years. Based on expert panel consensus diagnosis, 92 (45%) of the participants had cellulitis. The cellulitis group had an average Tmax of 33.2°C and 30.2°C for affected and unaffected skin respectively, which was a significant difference of 2.9°C (CI: 2.5 to 3.6; p< 0.001). The difference in the Tmax gradients between patients with cellulitis and pseudocellulitis was 2.08°C (CI: 1.46-2.70; p< 0.001). Conclusion This represents the largest validation study of skin surface temperature differences between cellulitis and pseudocellulitis. Significant difference in temperature gradients between cases of cellulitis and pseudocellulitis suggests thermal imaging could be a useful diagnostic adjunct that can help differentiate these conditions. Such a modality could be particularly helpful in the ED setting where providers must balance diagnostic uncertainty with antimicrobial stewardship principles. Future work will identify the best performing temperature variables and determine optimal cutoff values for use in diagnostic algorithms. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunhe Yang ◽  
Gan Li ◽  
Xiaojun Zhang ◽  
Xianhong Gu

The objectives of the research reported in this Research Communication were to compare the variation of hind quarter skin surface temperature pre- and post- milking in dairy cows and to determine the optimal time to capture images by infrared thermography for improving the sensitivity and specificity of mastitis detection in dairy cows. Hind quarter infrared images of 102 Holstein dairy cows were captured from the caudal view by an infrared camera pre-milking and post-milking. The udder skin surface temperature was measured with the help of the image processing software. No significant difference was found between the left and right quarter skin surface temperature pre- and post- milking. The hind quarter skin surface temperature pre-milking was not significantly influenced by milk yield, but exhibited a rising trend along with the increase of milk yield. The hind quarter skin surface temperature post-milking was significantly influenced by milk yield. This leads us to conclude that the sensitivity and specificity of IRT in mastitis detection may be influenced by milk yield and it may be better to capture the infrared images of cow udders pre-milking.


Author(s):  
Yang Yang ◽  
Jing Liu

This paper reports the effects of atherosclerosis plaque on the human cervicum skin surface temperature. The classical Pennes bioheat equation and a 3-D model consisting of cervical vertebra, muscle, and skin layer is adopted to characterize the heat transfer in the cervicum. Since the formation of atherosclerotic plaque is random, several parametric analyses are conducted to simulate actual situations. A medical far-infrared thermal imaging system is employed on two healthy human subjects to evaluate the feasibility of this technique. According to the simulations, there are variations in the temperature contours on the surface of the skin due to the axial variations in thermal parameters between healthy arterial intimae and atherosclerosis plaque. This suggests that far-infrared thermal imaging can be used to detect the marker safely via a noncontact way. Additional parametric studies indicated that the cervicum skin surface temperature distribution discloses the information regarding the plaque such as position, depth, pattern, quantity, and metabolic heat generation, etc. Furthermore, the external thermal conditions and calm physiological state can be implemented to enhance the detection of the plaque via mapping skin temperature. To test this strategy, a far-infrared imaging system was applied to record the dynamic thermal pictures on the cervicum of two human subjects, and the intentional cooling by the alcohol was proposed to improve detection. The thermograph reveals the surface effects of the main blood vessel and organs in the cervicum. The present study sets up a theoretical foundation for using noncontact far-infrared imaging method for a reliable assessment of atherosclerosis plaque without causing any wound or radiation to human body.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 632-641
Author(s):  
Sumiati Tarigan ◽  
Saldy Yusuf ◽  
Yuliana Syam

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the interface pressure and skin surface temperature in relation to the incidence of pressure injury (PI) using three different turning schedules. Method: This was a pilot study with a three-armed randomised clinical trial design. Participants at risk of PI and treated in the high dependency care unit in a regional hospital in Makassar, Indonesia participated in this study. Patients were repositioned at three different turning schedules (two-, three- and four-hourly intervals). Interface pressure measurement and skin surface temperature were measured between 14:00 and 18:00 every three days. The incidence of PI was assessed during the two-week observation period. Results: A total of 44 participants took part in the study. A one-way ANOVA test revealed no difference in interface pressure among the three different turning schedule groups within two weeks of observations: day zero, p=0.56; day four, p=0.95; day seven, p=0.56; day 10, p=0.63; and day 14, p=0.92. Although the average periumbilical temperature and skin surface temperature were not significant (p>0.05), comparison between these observation sites was significant on all observation days (p<0.05). Regarding the incidence of PI, the proportional hazard test for the development of PI in the three groups was considered not different (hazard ratio: 1.46, 95% confidence interval: 0.43–4.87, p=0.54). Conclusion: No difference in interface pressure and incidence of PI on the three turning schedules was observed; however, there was a potential increase in skin surface temperature in comparison with periumbilical temperature for all three turning schedules.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document