DIGITAL INFRARED THERMAL IMAGING IN OSTEOPOROSIS

This study examined the relationship between bone mineral density and DITI in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. An analysis was performed on the thermographic findings of 20 patients without osteoporosis, 20 with osteopenia and 20 with osteoporosis at the Kangnam Korean Hospital, KyungHee University, Seoul, Korea, from June 1998 to February 1999. The osteoporosis was measured by LUNAR PIXI and the body temperature was assessed by DITI. Thermogrphic measurements were performed on 4 areas(acupuncture point: CV12, CV4, BL23 and BL26). All data were coded for computer analysis and significances were tested by Duncan test. There was no significant difference in age among the three groups of patients. DITI revealed the significant hypothermia (p<0.001) on the osteoporosis patients compared with osteopenia and normal bone density patients. It is believed that DITI may be a favorable alternative to the diagnosis of osteoporosis.