Thermal Imaging Method for Evaluation of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Small Animal Model–A Preliminary Study

Thermal imaging method is a non invasive, non contact, accurate method for detecting the inflammation in arthritis compared to other diagnostic methods. Thermal imaging plays a crucial role in evaluation and monitoring the inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis .The aim of our study was to evaluate and monitor the inflammatory arthritis in rats by means of skin temperature measurement using thermal imaging technique. 0.2ml of mixture of freunds complete adjuvant mixed with a phosphate buffer saline at 1:1 are injected in right hind limb and forelimb and left limbs are kept for control. Thermal analysis of wistar rats showed that significant increase in mean temperature difference about 0.80c and 0.90c increase in temperature in inflamed right fore limb and hind limb than the left limb controls.