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Use of infrared thermography to detect injections and palmar digital neurectomy in horses.
Abstract: 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 24h 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.
Publication Date: 2002-10-03 PubMed ID: 12359467DOI: 10.1053/tvjl.2002.0719Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research article discusses the application of thermography for detecting distinct procedures in horses, such as injection of analgesic and neurolytic agents, and surgical palmar digital neurectomy. However, while the technology is found to be sensitive in detecting heat pattern changes, it lacks the specificity to differentiate between medical procedures and injuries that induce inflammation.
Objective of the Research
- The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of thermography, a technique that detects heat as an infrared radiation emitted from the skin, for finding alterations following specific procedures in horses. Since the skin temperature often mirrors the conditions of underlying tissues, a change in thermal pattern may signify inflammation in superficial regions.
Methods and Procedures
- The researchers studied multiple procedures, including the injection into the lumbar region, suspensory ligaments, tibial nerve, palmar digital nerves, and the surgical operation called palmar digital neurectomy. Thermographic images were collected before and after the execution of these procedures up to the point when a significant difference in thermal patterns could no longer be identified.
Results of the study
- The study findings revealed that thermography could detect thermal patterns from certain procedures for specific periods. For instance, the lumbar region injection and the suspensory ligament produced observable heat pattern changes up to two days. In addition, infiltration of the tibial nerve with a neurolytic agent provided noticeable changes for two days.
- Analgesia of the palmar nerves remained significant for 24 hours with bupivicaine, whereas it lasted for five days with ammonium chloride. However, palmar digital neurectomy resulted in more inconsistent thermal patterns.
Limitations of Thermography
- Despite its sensitivity in detecting heat pattern shifts from control regions, thermography exhibited limitations in terms of specificity. The technology is unable to distinguish effectively between different surgical procedures and injuries that instigate an inflammatory response. This lack of specificity points to the need for further refinement of this technique or the use of adjunctive diagnostic tools for more accurate interpretations in such applications.
Cite This Article
APA
Van hoogmoed LM, Snyder JR.
(2002).
Use of infrared thermography to detect injections and palmar digital neurectomy in horses.
Vet J, 164(2), 129-141.
https://doi.org/10.1053/tvjl.2002.0719 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Comparative Gastroenterology Laboratory, Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
MeSH Terms
- Analgesia / veterinary
- Animals
- Body Temperature
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Hot Temperature
- Inflammation / diagnosis
- Injections / veterinary
- Nerve Block / veterinary
- Surgical Procedures, Operative / veterinary
- Thermography / methods
- Thermography / veterinary
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Casas-Alvarado A, Mota-Rojas D, Mora-Medina P, Martínez-Burnes J, Hernández-Ávalos I, Zapata A, Serra Aguado CI, Fernández-Parra R. Evaluation of the surface thermal response of peripheral nerve blocks in dogs undergoing trauma or orthopedic surgery. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1640338.
- Kroustallas FG, Papadopoulos GA, Skampardonis V, Leontides L, Fortomaris P. Monitoring Claw Length, Feet Infrared Temperature, Mobility and Backfat Tissue Changes in Replacement Gilts of Different Genetic Lines in Three Farrow-to-Finish Herds in Greece. Vet Sci 2023 Mar 6;10(3).
- Casas-Alvarado A, Martínez-Burnes J, Mora-Medina P, Hernández-Avalos I, Domínguez-Oliva A, Lezama-García K, Gómez-Prado J, Mota-Rojas D. Thermal and Circulatory Changes in Diverse Body Regions in Dogs and Cats Evaluated by Infrared Thermography. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 20;12(6).
- de Castro PF, Maria DA, de Campos Fonseca Pinto ACB, Patricio GCF, Matera JM. Local tumour response to neoadjuvant therapy with 2-aminoethyl dihydrogen phosphate in dogs with soft tissue sarcoma. Vet Med Sci 2022 May;8(3):990-1000.
- Kroustallas FG, Papadopoulos GA, Chalvatzi S, Skampardonis V, Leontides L, Fortomaris P. Infrared Thermography Evaluation of Feet Temperature and Its Association with Claw Lengths and Anisodactylia in Purebred Sows of Three Greek Herds. Vet Sci 2021 Dec 6;8(12).
- Farley CM, Kaynaroglu P, Magness D, Riegel RJ, Otto CM. Thermal Imaging Following Exercise in Working Dogs. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:705478.
- Mieszkowska M, Adamiak Z, Holak P, Głodek J, Jastrzębska E, Wolińska K, Mieszkowski M. The Effect of Horse Shoeing with Egg Bar Shoes and Shoes with Wedge Pads on the Results of Thermal Imaging of the Equine Distal Limb. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 21;11(6).
- Garcia EFV, Loughin CA, Marino DJ, Sackman J, Umbaugh SE, Fu J, Subedi S, Lesser ML, Akerman M, Schossler JEW. Medical infrared imaging and orthostatic analysis to determine lameness in the pelvic limbs of dogs. Open Vet J 2017;7(4):342-348.
- Całkosiński I, Dobrzyński M, Rosińczuk J, Dudek K, Chrószcz A, Fita K, Dymarek R. The use of infrared thermography as a rapid, quantitative, and noninvasive method for evaluation of inflammation response in different anatomical regions of rats. Biomed Res Int 2015;2015:972535.
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