Current status of thermography

Laser-Doppler flowmetry--a non-invasive and continuous method for blood flow evaluation in microvascular studies

Skin viability has during the last decades been studied by a number of different techniques. Some of these are briefly presented in this paper. One method, based on the laser-Doppler principle, makes possible continuous and noninvasive measurement of blood flow in the outermost layer (1 mm) of the skin. The basic physical principles and the properties of this flowmeter are presented. Some clinical and research applications of laser-Doppler flowmetry in a number of medical disciplines are discussed.

Thermographically measured normal skin temperature asymmetry in the human male

The detection of thermal asymmetry may lead to the diagnosis of significant disease states, especially those of a neoplastic or vascular nature. Estimates of acceptable thermal asymmetry have been made; thermal asymmetry has not previously been quantified in normal subjects. In 10 normal male volunteers, ages 17-38, thermal difference between symmetric areas of the chest, abdomen, and back never exceeded 1 degrees C. Statistical treatment of these data suggests that thermal differences in excess of this in the male are abnormal.

Effect of papaverine hydrochloride on cerebral blood flow as measured by forehead thermograms

Using the atraumatic diagnostic technique of forehead thermography to indirectly evaluate cerebral arterial circulation, nine patients with vascular disease in the extracranial or intracranial carotid arterial system were given 300 mg. papaverine hydrochloride. All patients demonstrated some degree of improvement after the drug was administered as determined by comparing control thermograms to thermograms obtained 1, 4 and 8 hours after administration of the drug. Improvement was attributed to increased cerebral blood flow due to the direct vasodilating effect of papaverine hydrochloride. In conclusion, this study suggests that if potential stroke victims can be detected at an early stage with thermography (and/or with other atraumatic diagnostic techniques), drug therapy may prove to be of immediate therapeutic value. The response of any given patient to drug therapy may be determined simply and atraumatically by thermographic examinations in which each patient is used as his own control.