1. Use of thermography in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis
- Author
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Free, Thomas W. and Faerber, George O.
- Subjects
Thrombosis -- Diagnosis ,Medical thermography -- Research ,Veins ,Health - Abstract
The use of liquid crystal thermography (LCT) was employed as a screening tool in the detection of deep venous thrombosis (blood clot). A standard venogram was used as the means by which to judge and compare the results of the LCT image. The diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower extremities is very difficult. Clinical signs alone (edema, tenderness, warmth to the touch) are not sufficient for correct diagnosis of this problem. A venogram is considered the most accurate method of detecting DVT. But it is an invasive procedure and requires that a foot vein be cannulated (insertion of a narrow tube os catheter). This is often impossible in patients with considerable edema (swelling). An iodine contrast agent must be injected into a vein to provide better visualization of such veins on the venogram. This agent cannot be used in patients who are allergic to iodine unless the patient has been prepared with corticosteroids and antihistamines. These and other complications do not make DVT a suitable imaging strategy for all patients. LCT was tested as a replacement for venography. The results of the study were not encouraging. LCT has poor specificity and a high percentage of the cases were falsely positive for DVT. Although the population studied was small (only forty patients) the results of LCT when compared with venography demonstrate that LCT appears to have little value in the diagnosis and evaluation of DVT.
- Published
- 1989