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High Resolution IR Imaging for Diagnosis in the Acute Limping Child - ThermLimp

NCT03312348 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2021-01-22

Study results available
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Summary

A variety of different diseases may cause a limp in a child, and in younger children it is particularly challenging to isolate the area affected. Children of this age group are unable to identify a specific region of pain, so clinical examination and parental interpretation is the only method of localising the area of discomfort. Potential problems that may affect children include inflammation, fractures, infection, juvenile arthritis or movement in the growth plate in the hip, among other diseases. Aside from an obvious source of injury, it is challenging for a clinician to distinguish between these different potential causes or the area of the problem without repeated visits, non-specific blood tests and the use of x-ray imaging: a form of radiation that carries with it a small risk of carcinogenic effect. Once a region of the lower limb is identified, an x-ray image of the affected area is often taken; however, it is not possible to image the entire leg, so the importance of the initial examination by a clinician is evident. The aim of this research project is to assess the potential of high resolution infrared (IR) imaging technology in the identification of a focus for the cause of a limping child. The IR camera used for imaging is able to observe an entire limb, so the need to localise an area for imaging would be removed. In addition, if successful, infrared imaging could reduce the number of children exposed to x-ray radiation unnecessarily, whilst stream-lining medical practice by reducing the time to make a diagnosis along with unnecessary visits and tests. The investigators aim to explore whether non-invasive IR thermographic camera imaging assists with the clinical diagnosis in children presenting with an acute limp. This study represents a pilot evaluation as a test of concept.

Conditions

  • Limping

Interventions

DEVICE

Infrared imaging

Infrared image image acquisition of study participants

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
9 Months
Max Age
16 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2016-01-31
Primary Completion
2016-06-30
Completion
2016-06-30

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT03312348 on ClinicalTrials.gov