[Liquid-crystal-contact-thermography (LCCT)--a new diagnostic method for determination of skin circulation. Results of 300 studies].

In cases where minor differences in skin temperature are of importance, LCCT can be used. Furthermore LCCT can be used to document the malperfusion of the leg and postoperative flow control of a bypass after revascularization, as well as determination of the site of amputation in cases where revascularization is not possible. General surgery, traumatology: LCCT is well suited as a screening method in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis. Our clinical trial with more than 300 patients documents the simple, non-invasive use of LCCT. More than 80 patients had parallel ascending venography performed in order to document sensitivity and specificity of LCCT. We found LCCT to have a sensitivity to 95% and a specificity of 86% when compared to venography. LCCT must be performed by a physician to rule out other pathogenic factors leading to either a rise or a fall in skin temperature. As LCCT is an absolutely non-invasive method and having a high sensitivity and specificity it is well suited as screening method in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis. LCCT can be recommended to all angiologic wards and certainly to very surgical clinic, as the early recognition or exclusion of postoperative deep venous thrombosis is its main goal.