THE USE OF THERMOGRAPHIC CAMERA IN STROKE DIAGNOSTICS - INTRODUCTORY REPORT

Background. Due to the serious course of most severe vascular injuries of the brain, there is a necessity to look for new diagnostic methods which are the least invasive for the patient. Objectives: the evaluation of the usefulness of thermographic camera in stroke diagnostics.

Material and methods. The research included 38 patients hospitalised due to cerebrovascular accident in the Intensive Therapy Ward and Neurology Ward. The patients were diagnosed according to EBM (evidence based medicine) by means of CT, then a series of images were taken by means of thermographic camera. The examinations were conducted on the first day of the stroke, preceded by head tomography, and next on the fourth day after the stroke.

Results. The examinations showed statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in the temperature in the brain stroke area in relation to the healthy part both on the first and the fourth day. The difference in the average temperature changes between the cerebral infarction and intracerebral hemorrhage on the first and the fourth day was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The difference in the average temperature changes in the brain stroke area (irrespective of its type) between the first and the fourth day was statistically significant (p<0.05). The difference in the average temperature changes between the smaller and the bigger focal areas in CT on the first and the fourth day was not statistically significant (P>0.05). No significant correlation was observed between the average temperature changes and the clinical state of patients evaluated according to ESS (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) during the first day (p.0.05).

Conclusion. Thermographic camera is a useful tool in brain stroke diagnostics, however it does

not differentiate between hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes.