Value of a smartphone-compatible thermal imaging camera in the detection of peroneal artery perforators: Comparative study with computed tomography angiography.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the value of a smartphone-compatible thermal imaging camera in the mapping of the peroneal artery perforators.

METHODS: Twelve consecutive patients scheduled for fibular flap reconstruction were enrolled. The lower limbs were first studied using smartphone-based dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT). During the rewarming, the hotspots were marked, small rubber markers were taped to the registered sites, and then the patients were sent for a CT scan. The diagnostic performance of smartphone-based DIRT was evaluated by comparing the DIRT findings with CT angiography and intraoperative findings.

RESULTS: DIRT detected 42 of the 57 dominant perforators in 24 limbs and resulted in a sensitivity of 73.7% and a positive predictive value of 65.6%.

CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity and positive predictive value of the smartphone-based DIRT are low. Currently, it should be used as an adjunctive tool together with the established imaging techniques.