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Infrared Thermal Imaging Has the Potential to Reduce Unnecessary Surgery and Delays to Necessary Surgery in Burn Patients
- Source :
- Journal of burn careresearch : official publication of the American Burn Association. 37(6)
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Clinical distinction between superficial and deep burns is problematic. The authors determined whether an infrared thermal imaging (IRTI) camera could predict burn depth. Burn depth was assessed by an experienced surgeon, and the burns were imaged with a portable, lightweight IRTI camera that measures heat emission from the skin using long infrared wavelengths (7.5-13 μm). Burns were considered "deep" if they were surgically excised and confirmed to be of full thickness on microscopic evaluation or if they did not heal spontaneously within 21 days of injury. All other burns were considered "nondeep." There were 39 burns that had both days 1 and 2 IRTI measurements and available outcome. Of these, 16 were "deep" burns and 23 were "nondeep." The mean temperatures of "nondeep" burns between days 1 and 2 increased from 30.6 ± 2.7 to 32.1 ± 3.0°C (difference of 1.5 ± 2.3°C). The mean temperatures of "deep" burns decreased from 32.3 ± 2.0 to 30.8 ± 1.3°C (difference of -1.5 ± 2.0°C) between days 1 and 2. Any decrease in temperatures between days 1 and 2 was predictive of a deep wound, and any increase between days 1 and 2 was predictive of a nondeep burn. Using the ultimate burn depth as the criterion standard, the overall accuracy of IRTI was considerably higher than that of clinical assessment; 87.2% (95% CI: 71.8-95.2) vs 54.1% (95% CI: 37.1-70.2). Any decrease in temperatures between days 1 and 2 was predictive of a deep wound. Our results suggest that thermography using IRTI is more accurate than clinical examination in predicting burn depth and could potentially reduce unnecessary surgery as well as reduce delays to surgery when necessary.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Adolescent
Infrared Rays
Unnecessary Surgery
Unnecessary Procedures
030207 dermatology & venereal diseases
03 medical and health sciences
Young Adult
0302 clinical medicine
Unnecessary Procedure
Medicine
Humans
Prospective Studies
Child
Aged
Skin
Aged, 80 and over
Wound Healing
Burn depth
business.industry
Rehabilitation
Infant
030208 emergency & critical care medicine
Middle Aged
Surgery
Thermography
Child, Preschool
Emergency Medicine
Infrared thermal imaging
Full thickness
Female
CRITERION STANDARD
business
Burns
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15590488
- Volume :
- 37
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of burn careresearch : official publication of the American Burn Association
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....fd3f1d92f1e6ddf5092c9a59f759ec67