Use of thermogram in detection of meningitis.

Thermography of the lumbar area was performed on 169 patients under two years of age. Twenty-four percent (21/87) of afebrile patients and nine percent (6/66) of febrile patients without meningitis had increased lumbar heat (false-positive). Sixteen patients with a cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and/or pathogens present demonstrated increased heat in the lumbar area. Clinical evaluation at a level of greater than 2 (0-10) had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 80%. Thermographic evaluation at a grade of 6 or higher (0-10) for the presence of midline heat had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 92%. Thermography of the lumbar area may be a useful clinical adjunct to screen for meningitis.