HiRes Infrared Imaging for Wrist Injuries in Children v2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
High Resolution Infrared thermography as a diagnostic aid in paediatric wrist injuries Version 2.
IRAS ID
253940
Contact name
Shammi Ramlakhan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Childrens NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 0 days
Research summary
When assessing an injured child, doctors must decide whether or not there is an underlying bony fracture. The current way of doing this is by x-ray. In 2011, 46,000 children attended Sheffield Children’s Hospital Emergency Department and 10,400 x-rays were taken - predominately for diagnosis of fractures. For foot and wrist, 2,215 x-rays were 'normal' with no fracture, at a cost of £119,610 (at a tariff of £54 per x-ray). Considering the cost and undesired effect of radiation exposure, a better way to discriminate those patients with fracture is needed. The non-invasive technique of thermal imaging holds promise as a putative technique.
We have earlier demonstrated the potential of thermal imaging for vertebral fractures, diagnosing limp and measuring respiration rate. This study investigates thermal imaging to screen for wrist fractures. The objectives are: (i) accurately identify fracture location, (ii) exclude cases that are sprain and thus reduce the need for their x-ray. The confirmation of a fracture would still require a x-ray. As the study is in collaboration with Sheffield Children’s Hospital, only children will be included, however the findings will also be applicable to adults.
Thermal imaging is a completely safe and harmless operation, as the camera is non-contact and emits no radiation. Any trauma, such as a wrist fracture, results in changes in blood flow that in turn affects the skin surface temperature of the skin overlying the injury. These changes affect the amount of emitted infrared radiation and will be recorded and explored to find a marker to differentiate fractures and sprains.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0001
Date of REC Opinion
7 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion