Objective Measurement of Leg Ulcer Area in Sickle Cell Anemia Patients Using Infrared Photography

Abstract

Measurement of skin ulcer area is essential for accurate assessment of the efficacy of different therapeutic strategies. Currently, measurement options involve subjective evaluation of ulcer borders. We quantified ulcer surface area in twelve sickle cell anemia patients by using an infrared (IR) camera and compared measurements to those obtained with standard, manual techniques that utilize visible light. IR photography is sensitive to ulcer border irregularity and capable of discerning thin epithelialization layers that are invisible, due to transparency, to the human eye or ordinary photography. The technique is non-invasive, objective, and capable of visualizing ulcers through thin dressings.