Thermographic examination of prick test reactions with local anesthetic

Abstract

In allergology, skin diagnostic tests are divided into epicutaneous, cutaneous and intracutaneous. The prick test is one of the cutaneous tests used most often for the diagnosis of hypersensitivity to local anesthetics. In the case of hypersensitivity to the examined anesthetic and reaction to the histamine-containing solution (positive control), inflammation appears with an increase in the local temperature. This warming can be detected objectively with a thermal camera and can be used in the diagnostic process. This study was used to examine the capabilities of the infrared thermography application, in the prick test of both men and women, by comparing temperature changes and the intensity of allergic inflammation in the positive and negative controls in addition with a negative reaction to an allergen. A group of 115 patients-55 male (52%) and 60 female (48%), are included. All are examined for hypersensitivity to Mepivastesin, together with the positive and negative control. Skin temperature changes of the skin were examined with FLIR A320 thermal camera and the FLIR Reporter Professional software 2013-application used to process the thermal camera images and data. The statistical analysis shows a marked temperature difference between men and women. Similarities in temperature values are detected between the negative reactions to dental anesthetic and the negative control. However, the latter substantially differs from the data obtained with the positive control. Results of the research indicate the possible applications of the thermography diagnostics in evaluation of the prick test results. Keywords Immediate hypersensitivity Á Skin test Á Infrared thermography Á Skin temperature List of symbols DAr The change in temperature of the skin after performing the test with the allergen Ar 2 The post-reaction temperature of the skin after performing the test with the allergen Ar 1 The pre-reaction temperature of the skin after performing the test with the allergen DNeg The change in the temperature of the skin after performing the test with the negative control Neg 2 The post-reaction temperature of the skin after performing the test with the negative control Neg 1 The pre-reaction temperature of the skin after performing the test with the negative control DPos The change in temperature of the skin after performing the test with the positive control Pos 2 The post-reaction temperature of the skin after performing the test with the positive control Pos 1 The pre-reaction temperature of the skin after performing the test with the positive control DAr 0 The change of the temperature due to the allergic reaction

Thermo‐SPT: A new skin prick test evaluation framework based on low‐cost, portable smartphone thermography

“…To determine the effectiveness of the proposed SPT evaluation techniques, they were compared against the relative temperature and temperature difference, ΔT (T 5 − T 0 , T 10 − T 0 and T 15 − T 0 ) measures used in this study. 13 For the case of relative temperature, an aeroallergen was considered positive if its temperature at time point T was higher that of the histamine at t = 15 min. Furthermore, an aeroallergen was evaluated as positive if the value of the temperature difference (ΔT) at time point T was greater than that of the histamine at the same time point.…”

“…[7][8][9] Previous studies, such as the research by Phipatanakul et al laid the foundation for the use of thermal imaging in skin prick test, 10 and it has been suggested that thermographical imaging systems could be useful to diagnose allergic diseases, but the implementation of this technology into clinical practice remains a concern. 9,[11][12][13][14] The aim of this study was to introduce a cutting-edge SPT evaluation framework utilizing a low-cost, portable smartphone thermography application to improve the accuracy and reliability of SPT outcomes for allergen-induced skin reactions. Experiment trials were conducted to evaluate its use to be able to increase the repeatability and applicability of the IRT imaging modality in clinical settings.…”

“…IRT is a non‐invasive and contactless method that uses infrared radiation to monitor skin surface temperature in the human body 7–9 . Previous studies, such as the research by Phipatanakul et al laid the foundation for the use of thermal imaging in skin prick test, 10 and it has been suggested that thermographical imaging systems could be useful to diagnose allergic diseases, but the implementation of this technology into clinical practice remains a concern 9,11–14 …”

Calorimetry in Allergy Diagnostic

“…Most studies do not analyze the initial skin temperature, although it is the starting point for the temperature change [6][7][8]. There were no statistically significant differences in skin temperatures prior to the test when subcutaneous main blood vessels were avoided [9]. If the blood vessel passes through the examined area, it will not allow significant changes in temperature to be reported, regardless of the severity of the allergic inflammation.…”