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Infantile hemangioma status by dynamic infrared thermography: A preliminary study
Author(s) -
Burkes Shoná A.,
Patel Manish,
Adams Denise M.,
Hammill Adrienne M.,
Eaton Kenneth P.,
Randall Wickett R.,
Visscher Marty O.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/ijd.13298
Subject(s) - thermography , medicine , perfusion , infantile hemangioma , nuclear medicine , hemangioma , radiology , surgery , infrared , physics , optics
Background Infantile hemangiomas ( IH ) are initially warm due to increased proliferation and perfusion then involute with apoptosis and reduced perfusion. Objective quantitative evaluation of IH treatment response is essential for improving outcomes. We applied a functional imaging method, dynamic infrared ( IR ) thermography, to investigate IH status versus control skin and over time. Materials and methods A preliminary prospective observational study was conducted among 25 subjects with superficial or mixed IH s (< 19 months) over 59 clinic visits. Infrared images of IH s and control sites, standardized color images, and three‐dimensional images were obtained. Tissue responses following application and removal of a cold stress were recorded with video IR thermography. Outcomes included areas under the curve during cooling ( AUC cool ) and rewarming ( AUC rw ) and thermal intensity distribution maps. Results AUC cool and AUC rw were significantly higher and cooling rate slower for IH s versus uninvolved tissue indicating greater heat, presumably due to greater perfusion and metabolism for the IH . IR distribution maps showed specific areas of high and low temperature. Significant changes in IH thermal activity were reflected in the difference ( AUC cool – AUC rw ), with 6.2 at 2.2 months increasing to 37.6 at 12.8 months. IH cooling rate increased with age, indicating slower recovery, and interpreted as reduced proliferation and/or involution. Conclusions Dynamic IR thermography was a well‐tolerated, quantitative functional imaging modality appropriate for the clinic, particularly when structural changes, i.e., height, volume, color, were not readily observed. It may assist in monitoring progress, individualizing treatment, and evaluating therapies. Clinical Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier NCT02061735)