The facial thermal effect of dynamic mechanical and vascular provocation tests: Preliminary study

Anatomical and functional information of the structures of interest is the basis of radiology interpretation. Many diagnosis of some facial diseases may be done through medical imaging techniques, however the most conventional present lack of information in analyzing physiological functional aspects such as microcirculation and autonomous nervous system. This study aims to evaluate and compare 2 techniques of dynamic infrared thermography (chewing and vibration tests associated with thermal test) in 3 skin facial regions of volunteers with and without temporomandibular disorder (DMT). Sixty-four participants (24 symptomatic and 40 asymptomatic) were included. The surface temperature over trochlear, supraorbital and facial arteries and veins was assessed by medical thermography, using regional frontal views and clinical examination. Results show that the cutaneous temperature over the ROIs does not change in the presence of DMT. The functional tests did not have statistical evidence of independence (p>0.05). This preliminary assessment was made only in front views. A future evaluation of lateral thermal imaging is advised because it can provide important and new pathophysiological information in the characterization for DMT subjects and healthy individuals.