Application of digital infrared thermography for carpal tunnel syndrome evaluation

Abstract

We investigated the thermographic findings of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). We enrolled 304 hands with electrodiagnostically identified CTS and 88 control hands. CTS hands were assigned to duration groups (D1, < 3 months; D2, 3‒6 months; D3, 6‒12 months; D4, ≥ 12 months) and severity groups (S1, very mild; S2, mild; S3, moderate; S4, severe). The temperature difference between the median and ulnar nerve territories (ΔM-U territories) decreased as CTS duration and severity increased. Significant differences in ΔM-U territories between the D1 and D3, D1 and D4, D2 and D4, and S1 and S4 groups (P = 0.003, 0.001, 0.001, and < 0.001, respectively) were observed. Thermal anisometry increased as CTS duration and severity increased. Significant differences in thermal anisometry between the D1 and D4 as well as the D2 and D4 groups (P = 0.005 and 0.04, respectively) were noted. Thermal anisometry was higher in the S4 group than in the S1, S2, and S3 groups (P = 0.009, < 0.001, and 0.003, respectively). As CTS progresses, skin temperature tends to decrease and thermal variation tends to increase in the median nerve-innervated area. Thermographic findings reflect the physiological changes of the entrapped median nerve.

Infrared Thermographic Changes after Decompression Surgery in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

“…Damage to unmyelinated small bers in the early stages of CTS may increase thermal variation in areas innervated by the same nerve through mechanisms such as sympathetic dysfunction, reactive vasoconstriction, and antidromic sensory ber activation [23]. We have reported in a previous study that as the severity of CTS increases, the anisometry also gradually increases [19]. In this study, infrared thermographic changes were observed, along with pain reduction and clinical improvement after CTR.…”

“…Speci cally, secondary parameters, such as ΔM − U digits, Δthenar − hypothenar, and ΔM − U territories did not show signi cant changes after surgery. According to our previous study, these parameters, as opposed to anisometery, stand out in the early stage of the disease, but become less apparent as the severity and duration of the disease increases [19]. Those who underwent surgery were electrodiagnostically severe in most cases (88.9%), with an average prolonged symptom duration of 12.0 months.…”

“…The DITI test was performed according to the same protocol as previously published by these authors, and the same parameters were evaluated [19]. The IRIS-8000® (Medicore, Seoul, Korea) was used to record the thermographic image.…”

“…As DITI re ects the state of the autonomic nervous system, the possibility of using DITI in CTS is plausible [19].…”

Differential Screening of Herniated Lumbar Discs Based on Bag of Visual Words Image Classification Using Digital Infrared Thermographic Images

“…Therefore, early detection is important for effective treatment, and various techniques based on infrared thermography will aid in diagnosis; computer-aided diagnosis can also be useful [ 28 ]. Park et al, reported that in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), DITI uses a different approach depending on the disease duration and severity and may play a complementary role in understanding and evaluating CTS [ 29 ]. DITI is also used in sports medicine.…”