Abstract
BACKGROUND: A more reliable classification of skin inflammation and severity of active disease results from ultrasound sonography and the new hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS) classification system IHS4. However, an objective assessment of skin inflammation in a continuous mode is still the ultimate goal. Long-wave medical infrared thermography (MIT) may offer a blood flow and temperature differential assessment in inflammatory conditions.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of MIT in HS.
METHODS: Standardized photography of the areas involved or been candidates for HS involvement was performed and MIT pictures were taken simultaneously and superimposed on the photographs of 18 patients (11 female, 7 male, median age 38.75 years [95% confidence interval 28.5 and 51 years], Hurley score I 5.6%, Hurley score II 38.9%, and Hurley score III 55.5%). A modification of the Otsu's method facilitated the automatic lesion segmentation from the background, depicting the inflammation area. Moreover, MIT was administered in real-time mode during radical HS surgery.
RESULTS: A 1�C temperature difference from a corresponding symmetric body region was indicative of inflammation. MIT figures detected a gradual increase of skin temperature from 33.0�C in healthy skin on average to 35.0-36.6�C at the center of inflamma tory lesions in the axilla and to 35.4-36.9�C at the center of inflammation in the groin area. Real-time MIT assessment enabled the definition of the margins and depth of the surgical intervention during the procedure.
CONCLUSION: MIT is a promising tool for the detection of inflammation severity in HS lesions and can be used as a clinical biomarker in evaluation studies of medical and surgical HS treatment.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Sider (fra-til) | 144-149 |
Antal sider | 6 |
Tidsskrift | Dermatology |
Vol/bind | 235 |
Udgave nummer | 2 |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - 2019 |