Infrared thermometry in the diagnosis and treatment of heat exhaustion.

Full Abstract

Infrared (IR) thermometers (FirstTemp 2000A, Intelligent Medical Systems, California) were used to monitor tympanic temperature (Tty) in 12 collapsed fun-runners suspected of suffering exertion-induced heat exhaustion (EIHE). Rectal temperature (Tre) was monitored via digital clinical thermometers. Conditions during the fun-run and in the field treatment centre were cool (air temperature 16-18 degrees C, relative humidity 60-65%). On admission, Tty was (mean +/- SEM) 1.2 +/- 0.3 degrees C lower than Tre. For admission plus subsequent monitoring data pooled, although Tty correlated significantly with Tre (r = 0.86, p < 0.001), mean Tty (37.4 +/- 0.2 degrees C) was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than mean Tre (38.4 +/- 0.4 degrees C). Cotton wool ear pads, applied to 10 of the runners on admission to minimise environmental effects on Tty, did not significantly improve the IR monitoring. A Tty > or = 37.1 degrees C predicted a Tre > or = 38 degrees C (an established diagnostic criterion for EIHE) with a sensitivity of 0.93 and a specificity of 0.63. These data indicate that IR tympanic thermometry, when utilised in cool environments, can result in misdiagnosis of heat exhaustion. Although IR thermometry shows some promise as a rapid, non-invasive means of monitoring core temperature, it should not be used in the diagnosis and treatment of heat exhaustion unless further research validates the method.

Author information

Author/s: Hansen, R D (RD); Olds, T S (TS); Richards, D A (DA); Richards, C R (CR); Leelarthaepin, B (B);

Affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of Sydney.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: International journal of sports medicine (Int J Sports Med), published in GERMANY. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1996-Jan; vol 17 (issue 1) : pp 66-70

Dates: Created 1996/12/06; Completed 1996/12/06; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 8775579, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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