J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1998 Jul;27(7):890-897.

Diagnostic Significance of Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging after Cerebrovascular Stroke

• Sim JH

Abstract

The thalamic pain is an unfamiliar, intensely disagreeable sensation and resistant to analgesics. The purpose of this study is to determine the usefulness of digital infrared thermographic imaging for objective diagnosis of thalamic pain syndrome after cerebrovascular stroke. Twenty-seven patients with thalamic pain syndrome who had mild or no disability after cerebrovascular stroke were examined. Digital Infrared thermographic imaging study of these patients revealed hypothermia on the involved trunk, upper and lower extremities. The meaningful differences of the skin temperature between painful side and contralateral side were 0.89degreesC in trunk, 1.02degreesC in upper extremity and 1.37degreesC in lower extremity. Digital infrared thermographic imaging seems to be an useful diagnostic modality in thalamic pain syndrome after cerebrovascular stroke.

MeSH Terms

Analgesics
Diagnosis
Humans
Hypothermia
Lower Extremity
Sensation
Skin Temperature
Stroke*
Upper Extremity
Analgesics