Diabetes Care, Vol 9, Issue 3 267-272, Copyright © 1986 by American Diabetes Association

ARTICLES

Use of liquid crystal thermography in the evaluation of the diabetic foot

RM Stess, PC Sisney, KM Moss, PM Graf, KS Louie, GA Gooding and C Grunfeld

Liquid crystal thermography (LCT) was used to determine temperature variations on the plantar surface of feet. The purpose was to identify thermal emission patterns associated with diabetic foot ulcers. Three population groups were screened: group I, 16 nondiabetic controls; group II, 21 diabetic patients with no history of pedal ulcers; and group III, 28 diabetic patients with active pedal ulceration or history of foot ulcerations. The results demonstrate a generalized increase in plantar foot temperature in group III compared with groups I and II. Temperature readings under metatarsal heads 1-5, great toe, heel, and lateral band were significantly increased (P less than .01) in group III. Additionally, the warm lateral surface displayed by group III patients was not significantly different in temperature from the medial arch of the foot. In groups I and II, the lateral band was significantly cooler (P less than .01) than the medial arch. In group III patients with active ulceration on only one foot, no significant difference in temperature was found between the foot with active ulceration compared with the contralateral nonulcerated foot. When patients with active pedal ulceration were compared with patients with a history of foot ulcers, no significant difference in temperature was seen at five of seven sites tested. A warm concentric color band surrounding active plantar ulcers was identified in group III. This pattern extended from the center of the ulcer to a distance of 8 mm. A significant change in temperature (P less than .01) was noted at 6- and 8-mm distances from the center of the ulcer. In addition, a mottled thermographic pattern was observed more frequently in group III patients than in groups I and II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
CiteULike    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. A. Lavery, K. R. Higgins, D. R. Lanctot, G. P. Constantinides, R. G. Zamorano, K. A. Athanasiou, D. G. Armstrong, and C. M. Agrawal Preventing Diabetic Foot Ulcer Recurrence in High-Risk Patients: Use of temperature monitoring as a self-assessment tool Diabetes Care, January 1, 2007; 30(1): 14 - 20. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Bharara, J. E. Cobb, and D. J. Claremont Thermography and thermometry in the assessment of diabetic neuropathic foot: a case for furthering the role of thermal techniques. International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, December 1, 2006; 5(4): 250 - 260. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. G. Armstrong, L. A. Lavery, R. P. Wunderlich, and A. J. M. Boulton Skin Temperatures as a One-time Screening Tool Do Not Predict Future Diabetic Foot Complications J Am Podiatr Med Assoc, November 1, 2003; 93(6): 443 - 447. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]