Thermometry in the diabetic foot

Abstract

The worldwide prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has increased significantly in recent years, with diabetic foot as one of its main complications. The diagnosis is often late due to the lack of a precise examination method. High Resolution Multispectral Thermography (HRMT) offers a novel imaging diagnostic tool, by capturing with an ultrasensitive thermal camera (76,800 pixels or measurement points) the small and imperceptible changes in the temperature of the skin's microcirculation and transforming them into Colorful images for easy interpretation and analysis. This technology, initially used for the detection of breast tumors¹, was quickly acquired for the localization of hyperthermic (hot) areas in the feet, as occurs in infections, pre-ulcer areas and diabetic neuropathies²; or hypothermic (cold) areas found in arteriopathies. Taking into account the symmetry and distribution of normal temperature in the feet and how it can be influenced by DM, these thermal changes appear a long time before presenting symptoms or being evident by common diagnostic methods. Being the HRMT a study without radiation, without contact, without contrast and economical, it provides us with qualitative and quantitative information on the distribution of plantar temperature, and can be performed statically, dynamically (post-walk) or by cooling the feet (Cold Stress Test)³. HRMT has high sensitivity and prediction, which make it the ideal tool for any professional who treats patients with DM.