Hi-Res IR Thermography for the Diagnosis of Toddler's fractures
Research type
Research Study
Full title
High Resolution Infrared Thermal Imaging for the diagnosis of Toddler's fractures - a pilot diagnostic study
IRAS ID
280774
Contact name
Shammi Ramlakhan
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
This is a pilot proof of feasibility study to explore the efficacy of high resolution thermal imaging (HRTI) to screen for toddler's fractures. In HRTI, a sensitive thermal camera is used to capture the temperature profile of the suspected fracture region and then analyse and interpret the information using image processing.
Toddler's fractures are a common type of tibial fracture in children under 5 years old that can be particularly difficult to detect as the bone typically appears normal on x-ray for the first 10 days and becomes detectable thereafter only as new bone forms. The child’s leg is put in plaster in the interim and the diagnosis cannot be confirmed until 10-14 days later. Around 60% of children with suspected toddler’s fracture will not have a fracture, and would therefore have had plaster, repeat attendances and repeat x-ray unnecessarily. There is also the inconvenience and general risks of plaster immobilisation for the child.
In our earlier study, we demonstrated that HRTI has potential in diagnosing limp in children. This study included two children with toddler's fracture where HRTI detected the fracture's location on the patient's first ED visit. In this study, we aim to build on our earlier work to explore HRTI for screening for toddler's fracture. On its successful completion, we aim to develop the technology in a follow on larger diagnostic study as a tool that could be used to quickly exclude cases where the injury has not resulted in a fracture. This would reduce the number of unnecessary x-rays, revisits and treatment as well as reduce cost more objective decision making during the initial assessment of the child.
Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield Children's Hospital will collaborate in carrying out this study.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
20/SS/0124
Date of REC Opinion
23 Nov 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion