First Experience Of Infra Red Thermal Imaging for Screening of Diabetic Foot Conditions

Background: Diabetic foot is dangerous health condition, the leading reason for non traumatic amputations in developed countries. Main complications of diabetic foot are infection and ischemia. The single sign which is common to those conditions is temperature changes.

There are several ways to check and register foot temperature – digital thermometry, liquid crystal thermography, application if infra-red cameras. The last method is provides the best results for foot temperature evaluation, but has disadvantages. The main are – significant size, high cost of applied cameras and long time of registration.

The main goal of the research was evaluation of Israel common available smart-phone attached infra red camera as additional diagnostic tool. We used Op-Gal device and regular tablet computer. Taking thermal photos with Op-Gal is short simple procedure providing bright picture having also diagnostic and prognostic importance.

Thermography was performed during regular examination of 10 patient`s feet with signs suspicious for ischemia of infection. Follow-up and routine laboratory and visualization tests were performed for comparison of thermography results with regular diagnostic tools.

Results: Thermal image changes in the case of ischemia earlier, that regular clinical signs, providing better planning of operation volume.
Cool foot is a reason to perform vascular investigation before signs of critical ischemia