CORRELATION STUDY ON INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY AND NERVE ROOT SIGNS IN LUMBAR INTERVERTEBRAL-DISK HERNIATION PATIENT - A SHORT REPORT

Objective: To determine whether infrared skin thermography is an objec tive measurement reflecting the seriousness of nerve root irritation i n lumbar disk herniation patients. Design: Quantified nerve root signs by physical examination were collected from the patients along with t he infrared skin temperature measurement on the lumbosacral region and posterior part of thighs. A correlation study was applied to observe the relation between the nerve root signs and the skin temperature bef ore a successful conservative treatment (mainly spine manipulation), a nd between the alteration of nerve root signs and that of skin tempera ture after the treatment. Setting: Hospitalized care. Patients: Twenty -seven hospitalized samples with computed tomography or magnetic reson ance approval were consecutively selected during the latter half of 19 90. Main Outcome Measure: Changes in nerve root signs. Results: The te mperature difference between a troubled thigh and healthy one is signi ficantly correlated to the score of the nerve root signs before the tr eatment; and the reduction of temperature difference between two thigh s is also significantly correlated with decreasing score of nerve root signs after the treatment. The correlation between the temperature di fference on the left and right sides of the lumbosacral region and the nerve root signs before the treatment is insignificant; and the varia tion of the temperature difference of the same region after the treatm ent is not correlated with the decreasing score of the nerve root sign s. Conclusion: Infrared skin thermography of lower extremities might b e an objective sign in signaling the soothing process of the nerve roo t irritation in lumbar disk herniation patients, which may help a doct or in checking the responses of the patient to treatment.