Diagnostic capabilities of computer thermography with perthes disease

The potentialities of early diagnosis of Legg-Kalve-Perthes disease were studied using infrared computer thermography according to the examination results of 60 patients, aged 3-10 years. It was determined that hyperthermia registered prior to roentgenologic stage of the disease was changed by hypothermia with the progression of aseptic necrosis. Combination of minimum clinical manifesta­tions of Legg-Kalve-Perthes disease in absence of roentgenologic signs and hyperthermia of the hip joint involving 1/4 or more of the anterior hip diameter with thermoasymmetry exceeding 0.3° in comparison with analogic zone of contralateral extremity had sensitivity of 75%), specificity of 88.8%), prognosis of positive outcome of 75%), prognosis of negative outcome of 88.8%) and diagnostic efficacy of 84.6%o to consider a patient to be a member of the necrosis development risk group.