Çocuklarda Rutin Alerji Deri Testlerinin Termografik Olarak İncelenmesi

Abstract

Skin prick tests are frequently used tests to confirm the prediction of Type 1 hypersensitivity. It is preferred over other diagnostic modalities due to its rapid application, immediate results, low risk of systemic reactions and relatively cheapness. However, its application, measurement and evaluation may reduce its diagnostic value due to human dependence . Medical thermography is promising in the evaluation of the results because it provides non-invasive, objective and quantitative data in allergy tests . In addition to the limited number of studies on the use of medical thermography in allergies, it has been observed that there is a lack of data in the literature due to the fact that these studies are conducted in adult patients and there are different opinions about the diagnostic parameter to be used. In our study, we aimed to define a new diagnostic parameter for thermographic measurements and to investigate its relationship and compatibility with traditional skin prick measurement results. In this context, the clinical and demographic characteristics of a total of 63 patients who underwent routine allergy skin testing between November 2020 and April 2021 in Hacettepe University Pediatric Allergy Polyclinic, as well as the skin test areas, were examined thermographically. With the help of the thermal camera integrated into the smartphone, repetitive thermal images were taken during the skin prick test waiting period. For spatial relative temperature calculation, a function of the point temperature measurements of the positive control area (Cp), negative control area (Cn), and allergen zone (A) in each image was taken. Caloric allergy index (CAI), which expresses the spatial relative temperature position of each region according to the positive and negative control in terms of skin reactivity, was accepted as the main diagnostic parameter. According to the KAI results, each allergen zone has a different warming pattern. While the significant temperature difference in areas sensitive to Grass mix and Weed mix allergens compared to those who are not, starts at the 2nd minute;however significant differences in Cynadon, Cat, D. farinae., D. pteronyssinus regions were detected at the 5th minute. Although there was no linear relationship between the wheal diameter (15.min) and the relative temperature measurement, a significant goodness of agreement was found between these two measurement results. Ultimately, objective and quantitative information compatible with traditional measurement results can be produced in allergy skin prick tests with medical thermography. With the use of thermography, false results due to human errors can be reduced and a more accurate diagnosis can be made. Seeing the allergy better will mean knowing more.