Studies in phlebitis: detection and quantitation using a thermographic camera.

A new method for the detection of acute phlebitis in superficial veins is investigated. A thermographic camera is utilized for the quantitation of temperature changes in a rabbit ear model. A control group receiving no injection is compared against each of five treatment groups receiving these commercially available parenterals: amiodarone hydrochloride, phenytoin sodium, mechlorethamine hydrochloride, cephalothin sodium, and diazepam. The vehicles of the above-mentioned drugs as well as several commonly used organic cosolvents are also investigated. Local tissue responses to the parenteral challenges are measured and a good correlation between the visual and the thermographic data was seen.