Infrared thermography: a rapid, portable, and accurate technique to detect experimental pneumothorax

Pneumothorax (Ptx) is a life-threatening complication that can result from trauma, mechanical ventilation, and invasive procedures. Infrared thermography (IRT), a compact and portable technology, has become highly sensitive. We hypothesized that IRT could detect Ptx by identifying associated changes in skin temperature. Bilateral nonpenetrating chest incisions or needle punctures were performed in 21 anesthetized rats. Rats were then randomized to no, bilateral, left, or right Ptx by either open ( n = 16) or closed percutaneous ( n = 5) puncture through selected pleurae. Real-time thermographic images and surface temperature data were acquired with a noncooled infrared camera. In all cases, blinded observers correctly identified each Ptx with real-time grayscale image analysis. When compared to either the ipsilateral baseline or an abdominal reference, experimental Ptx produced a significantly greater decrease in surface temperature when compared to non-Ptx control. These results demonstrate that portable infrared imaging can rapidly and accurately detect changes in thoracic surface temperature associated with experimental pneumothorax.