[Patho-physiological analysis on peripheral circulation using thermography as an example of functional body imaging].

The various body imaging systems can be classified into structural body imaging and functional body imaging. Thermography is a typical example of the latter category. Thermography is regarded to mainly represent peripheral circulatory function on hands and feet. We have studied the patho-physiology of peripheral circulation in normal subjects and in patients with diabetic microangiopathy, using the thermography system. Analysis of the cold loading test by thermography revealed that the recovery after cold loading was decreased with aging in healthy subjects. In diabetic patients, recovery after cold loading was apparently lower than in senile healthy subjects on foot. Thermography was also considered as a useful tool for evaluation of the effect of medicines such as PGE1, in a long-term study, as well as single dose test. Furthermore, thermography proved to be the first choice study in serious peripheral circulatory failure such as diabetic gangrene, since it is a non-invasive and non-contact examination.