Area analysis of thermal images catches delayed healing in diabetic foot ulcers, but cannot assess venous leg ulcers (VLU) in the home environment. A study proposed utilizing textural analysis of thermal images to predict the healing trajectory of venous leg ulcers assessed in home settings.

Participants with VLU were enrolled and followed up over twelve weeks. In-home Digital images, thermal images and planimetry of wound tracing of the ulcers of 60 older participants were recorded by nurses. 

Participants were marked as healed or unhealed depending on the status of the wound at the 12th week follow up. The weekly change in textural features was calculated and the first two principal components were acquired. 

The following observations were made-

• 60 participants (aged 80.53 ± 11.94 years) with 72 wounds (mean area 21.32 ± 51.28cm² ) were contained in the study. 
• The first PCA of the change in textural features in week 2 concerning week 0 were substantial for distinguishing between healed and unhealed cases. 
• A marked difference was noted between the healed and unhealed when comparing weeks 0 with weeks 1 and 2. 
• The usefulness of digital planimetry for detecting changes in wound area over a 3-week period was confirmed by the analysis.

Thus, the Textural analysis of thermal images is an effective method in predicting which venous leg ulcers will not heal by week 12, as early as in week 2, among older people whose wounds are being managed in their homes.

Source- Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 24;11(1):13239. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-92828-2.