Farhan Nawras, Hassan Zakariya, Ali Mohammad Al Mahdi, Alqalaf Zaid, Rasul Roeya E, Jeffery Steven
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2GW, UK.
Diagnostics (Basel). 2025 Sep 8;15(17):2277. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics15172277.
Burn wounds are complex injuries that require timely and accurate assessment to guide treatment decisions and improve healing outcomes. Traditional clinical evaluations are largely subjective, often leading to delays in intervention and increased risk of complications. Imaging technologies have emerged as valuable tools that enhance diagnostic accuracy and enable objective, real-time assessment of wound characteristics. This review aims to evaluate the range of imaging modalities currently applied in burn wound care and assess their clinical relevance, diagnostic accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. It explores how these technologies address key challenges in wound evaluation, particularly related to burn depth, perfusion status, bacterial burden, and healing potential. A comprehensive narrative review was conducted, drawing on peer-reviewed journal articles, NICE innovation briefings, and clinical trial data. The databases searched included PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library. Imaging modalities examined include Laser Doppler Imaging (LDI), Fluorescence Imaging (FI), Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR), Hyperspectral Imaging, Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging (SFDI), and digital wound measurement systems. The clinical application and integration of these modalities in UK clinical practice were also explored. Each modality demonstrated unique clinical benefits. LDI was effective in assessing burn depth and perfusion, improving surgical planning, and reducing unnecessary procedures. FI, particularly the MolecuLight i:X device (MolecuLight Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada), accurately identified bacterial burden and guided targeted interventions. NIR and Hyperspectral Imaging provided insights into tissue oxygenation and viability, while SFDI enabled early detection of infection and vascular compromise. Digital measurement tools offered accurate, non-contact assessment and supported telemedicine use. NICE recognized both LDI and MolecuLight as valuable tools with the potential to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Imaging technologies significantly improve the precision and efficiency of burn wound care. Their ability to offer objective, non-invasive diagnostics enhances clinical decision-making. Future research should focus on broader validation and integration into clinical guidelines to ensure widespread adoption.
烧伤创面是复杂的损伤，需要及时、准确的评估以指导治疗决策并改善愈合效果。传统的临床评估在很大程度上是主观的，常常导致干预延迟和并发症风险增加。成像技术已成为有价值的工具，可提高诊断准确性并实现对创面特征的客观、实时评估。本综述旨在评估目前应用于烧伤创面护理的成像方式的范围，并评估其临床相关性、诊断准确性和成本效益。它探讨了这些技术如何应对创面评估中的关键挑战，特别是与烧伤深度、灌注状态、细菌负荷和愈合潜力相关的挑战。我们进行了一项全面的叙述性综述，参考了同行评审的期刊文章、英国国家卫生与临床优化研究所（NICE）的创新简报和临床试验数据。检索的数据库包括PubMed、Ovid MEDLINE和Cochrane图书馆。研究的成像方式包括激光多普勒成像（LDI）、荧光成像（FI）、近红外光谱（NIR）、高光谱成像（Hyperspectral Imaging）、空间频域成像（SFDI）和数字创面测量系统。还探讨了这些方式在英国临床实践中的临床应用和整合情况。每种方式都显示出独特的临床益处。LDI在评估烧伤深度和灌注、改善手术规划以及减少不必要的程序方面有效。FI，特别是MolecuLight i:X设备（加拿大安大略省多伦多市的MolecuLight公司），能准确识别细菌负荷并指导靶向干预。NIR和高光谱成像提供了有关组织氧合和活力的见解，而SFDI能够早期检测感染和血管受损情况。数字测量工具提供了准确的非接触式评估并支持远程医疗的使用。NICE认可LDI和MolecuLight都是有价值的工具，有可能改善治疗效果并降低医疗成本。成像技术显著提高了烧伤创面护理的精度和效率。它们提供客观、非侵入性诊断的能力增强了临床决策。未来的研究应侧重于更广泛的验证并纳入临床指南，以确保其广泛应用。
