Thermographic image analysis in scoliosis

Introduction Infrared thermal imaging is a useful tool for assessing skin temperature distribution. Scoliosis could result in alterations of the symmetry of skin temperature pattern in the back area of the trunk. Purpose The purpose of the study is to develop thermographic image analysis techniques to obtain indices that characterize perispinal skin temperature distribution in children suffering from scoliosis. Materials and methods Thermograms of the back area from 40 children (30 suffering from different types of scoliosis and 10 serving as the control group) were obtained. Image analysis methods were performed to obtain quantitative indices to characterize homogeneity as well as temperature differences on the thermograms. Obtained indices were evaluated using statistical methods as to their ability to differentiate between normal and pathologic cases and also related to type of scoliosis. Results Skin temperature distribution and homogeneity were quantitatively characterized. Temperature homogeneity is altered as a consequence of scoliosis, between the concave and convex sides of the spine curvature. Alterations tend to depend on the degree of scoliosis. The combination of parameters resulting from thermographic image analysis can effectively describe skin temperature pattern. Conclusion Image analysis techniques can reveal alterations of skin temperature distribution due to scoliisis. Thermography has the potential to serve as a complementary tool on the evaluation of scoliosis development and treatment.