[The importance of thermography in the diagnosis of the cervico-brachial syndrome].

In 349 patients with clinical diagnosis of cervicobrachial syndrome thermographic examinations were made during 1987 and 1988. An hyperthermic zone over the cervical region or/and an hypothermic zone over the upper extremity were found in 143 of 203 women (70%) and 115 of 146 men (79%). Ther are great differences in frequencies of thermographic changes between employed and retired patients. In younger age thermographic changes are much lower. In 53% of male patients aged 30-39 there were no thermographic changes, but the same result was found in only 9% of male patients aged 50-59. Clinical diagnosis is not sufficiently relevant in assessment of thermographic changes in patients with cervicobrachial syndrome.