THERMOGRAPHY AND RADIOLOGY IN THE LOCALIZATION OF INFECTION

The findings of thennography and radiology in the precise localization of infection in general rheumatology practice are correlated. The investigations proved complementary in the diagnosis of infection in and around the knee joint, the feet and in osteomyelitis of long bones. Thermo-graphic changes precede radiological change but more accurate localization is obtained with radiology. Thennography is the investigation of choice in the early detection of infection. INFRA-RED THERMOGRAPHY is a non-invasive and harmless investigation. It has been shown that under standardized conditions inflammatory lesions can be clearly demon-strated (Collins et a!., 1976). In the quantitative assessment of joint inflammation, a thermographic index (TT) can be computed for each joint (Collins et al., 1974; Bacon et al., 1976). Serial estimations of TI can be used to monitor response of inflammation to anti-inflammatory drugs, provided other factors are carefully controlled The qualitative aspects of thermography should have advantages in the detection and precise localization of infection, before radiological change is apparent. We here report a series of patients where thermography has complemented radiology in diagnosis and treatment