Use of Infrared Thermography to Detect Injections and Palmar Digital Neurectomy in Horses

Thermography is a non-contact, non-invasive technique that detects surface heat emitted as infrared radiation. Because skin temperature reflects the status of underlying tissue metabolism and blood circulation, abnormal thermal patterns can signify areas of superficial inflammation. The objective of...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The veterinary journal (1997) 2002-09, Vol.164 (2), p.129-141
Main Authors: Van Hoogmoed, Linda M., Snyder, Jack R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analgesia - veterinary
Animals
Body Temperature
detection
Horse Diseases - diagnosis
Horses
Hot Temperature
Inflammation - diagnosis
injection
Injections - veterinary
Nerve Block - veterinary
neurectomy
Surgical Procedures, Operative - veterinary
Thermography
Thermography - methods
Thermography - veterinary
Time Factors
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Thermography is a non-contact, non-invasive technique that detects surface heat emitted as infrared radiation. Because skin temperature reflects the status of underlying tissue metabolism and blood circulation, abnormal thermal patterns can signify areas of superficial inflammation. The objective of this study was to determine if thermography could detect the injection of analgesic and neurolytic agents and surgical palmar digital neurectomy. Procedures evaluated include injection of the lumbar region, suspensory ligaments, tibial nerve, palmar digital nerves, and palmar digital neurectomy. Thermographic images were obtained before and after the procedures until a significant difference was no longer detected. Local injection of the lumbar region and the suspensory ligament produced detectable thermal patterns for two days, and tibial nerve infiltration with a neurolytic agent was significant for two days. Analgesia of the palmar nerves was significant for 24 h with bupivicaine, compared to five days for ammonium chloride. Palmar digital neurectomy produced more variable thermal patterns. While sensitive enough to detect changes in heat patterns from control regions, thermography is not specific enough to discriminate between procedures and injury inducing an inflammatory response.
ISSN:1090-0233
1532-2971
DOI:10.1053/tvjl.2002.0719