Quantification of thermal asymmetry: Part 2: Application in low-back pain and sciatica

摘要: Temperature differences between the lower extremities were measured using a computerized thermometric scanning system in order to compare degree of thermal asymmetry 144 patients with low-back pain. The displayed highly significant asymmetries, involved limb being cooler (p less than 0.001). When asymmetries exceeded 1 standard deviation from mean temperature homologous regions 90 normal control subjects, positive predictive value thermometry detecting root impingement was 94.7% and specificity 87.5%. These values indicate that calculation is particularly effective evaluating reported pain psychosocially affected patient populations whom chance myelography or impaired function low. In this group patients, study provides physicians important information for proper decision making. test can be performed avoid more invasive probably revealing diagnostic exploratory surgical procedures.