Diagnostic evaluation of chronic venous insufficiency cases using thermal imaging

The use of infrared thermography in surgery of Varicose Veins on the inferior limbs is presented. The study was executed at Polytechnic Institute of Bragança and at the Regional Hospital of Bragança, Portugal. The most suitable steps to measure with this technology were determined prior to the clinical studies, where a minimum waiting time of 10 minutes was determined for each individual to reach thermal equilibrium. Both inferior limbs were compared for each patient and it was found that in 75% of the cases there was an aggravation of the healthier leg. In one of the cases residual veins appear. It was concluded that regular thermographic exams on post-operatory allow a closer follow up of the recovery of the operated limb, as well as the evolution of the non-operated limb