Clinical Significance of Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging in Unilateral Ulnar Neuropathy

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2009;11(2):78-84.
Published online December 31, 2009.

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to assess the clinical value of digital infrared thermographic imaging (DITI) asdiagnostic tool in patients with unilateral ulnar neuropathy
Methods: Twenty-six patients who were diagnosed as having unilateral ulnar neuropathy electrophysiologicallyand eighteen healthy subjects were evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups by severityof electrophysiologic finding; axonal involvement and demyelination groups. DITI was performed to subjects'palm and dorsum of both hands, and 8 regions of interests (ROIs) such as ulnar and radial territoriesof dorsal side, median and ulnar territories of volar side, and 2nd and 5th finger tips of dorsal and volarsides were defined. Temperature differences between involved and uninvolved sides and between 2 ROIsof the same hand in patients groups and controls were analyzed.
Results: Temperature differences of all 8 ROIs between involved and uninvolved sides were quite differentin patients with axonal involvement than in controls (p<0.05). Temperature differences of radial territoryof dorsal side had the highest diagnostic value (sensitivity=66.7%, specificity=100%), and most ofabnormal findings showed hypothermic pattern (70%).
Conclusion: These data suggest that DITI has a diagnostic value but limited for the evaluation of unilateralulnar neuropathy especially in more severely involved cases.

Key Words: Ulnar neuropathy, Thermography, Electromyography, Demyelination, Axonotmesis