Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (or DITI) is a non-invasive diagnostic
technique that allows the examiner to visualize and quantify changes in skin
surface temperature. An infrared scanning device is used to convert infrared
radiation emitted from the skin surface into electrical impulses that are
visualized in color on a monitor. This visual image graphically maps the
body temperature and is referred to as a thermogram. The spectrum of colors
indicate an increase or decrease in the amount of infrared radiation being
emitted from the body surface. Since there is a high degree of thermal
symmetry in the normal body, subtle abnormal temperature asymmetry’s can be
easily identified.
Medical DITI's major clinical value is in its high sensitivity to pathology
in the vascular, muscular, neural and skeletal systems and as such can
contribute to the pathogenesis and diagnosis made by the clinician.
Medical DITI has been used extensively in human medicine in the
U.S.A.,
Europe
and
Asia
for the past 20 years. Until now, cumbersome equipment has hampered its
diagnostic and economic viability. Current state of the art PC based
Infrared technology designed specifically for clinical application has
changed all this.
Skin blood flow is under the control of the sympathetic nervous system. In
normal people there is a symmetrical dermal pattern which is consistent and
reproducible for any individual. This is recorded in precise detail with a
temperature sensitivity of 0.1C by DITI.
The neuro-thermography application of DITI measures the somatic component of
the sympathetic nervous system by assessing dermal blood flow. The
sympathetic nervous system is stimulated at the same anatomical location as
its sensory counterpart and produces a 'somato sympathetic response'. The
somato sympathetic response appears on DITI as a localized area of altered
temperature with specific features for each anatomical lesion. The mean
temperature differential in peripheral nerve injury is 1.5C. In sympathetic
dysfunctions (RSD / SMP / CRPS) temperature differentials ranging from 1C to
10C depending on severity are not uncommon.
Rheumatological processes generally appear as 'hot' areas with increased
temperature patterns. The pathology is generally an inflammatory process,
i.e. synovitis of joints and tendon sheaths, epicondylitis, capsular and
muscle injuries, etc. Both hot and cold responses may coexist if the pain
associated with an inflammatory focus excites an increase in sympathetic
activity. Also, vascular conditions are readily demonstrated by DITI
including Raynauds disease, Vasculitis, Limb Ischemia, DVT, etc.
Medical DITI is filling the gap in clinical diagnosis...
X ray, C.T. Ultrasound and M.R.I. etc., are tests of anatomy. E.M.G. is a
test of motor physiology. DITI is unique in its capability to show
physiological change and metabolic processes. It has also proven to be a
very useful complementary procedure to other diagnostic modalities. Unlike
most diagnostic modalities DITI is non-invasive. It is a very sensitive and
reliable means of graphically mapping and displaying skin surface
temperature. With DITI you can diagnosis, evaluate, monitor and document a
large number of injuries and conditions, including soft tissue injuries and
sensory/autonomic nerve fibre dysfunction.
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Medical DITI can offer considerable financial savings by avoiding the need
for more expensive investigation for many patients. |
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Medical DITI can graphically display the very subjective feeling of pain
by objectively displaying the changes in skin surface temperature that
accompany pain states. |
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Medical DITI can show a combined effect of the autonomic nervous system
and the vascular system, down to capillary dysfunctions. The effects of
these changes show as asymmetries in temperature distribution on the
surface of the body. |
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Medical DITI
is a monitor of thermal abnormalities present in a number of diseases and
physical injuries. It is used as an aid for diagnosis and prognosis, as
well as therapy follow up and rehabilitation monitoring, within clinical
fields that include Rheumatology, neurology, physiotherapy, sports
medicine, oncology, pediatrics, orthopedics and many others. |
