Combination of Ultrasonographic and Thermographic Assessments for Predicting Partial-thickness Pressure Ulcer Healing

The ability to predict the prognosis of a pressure ulcer is re- quired to establish appropriate management in the early phase. The present study reports the usefulness of a combined assessment tech- nique using ultrasonography and thermography for predicting delayed wound healing. Methods. This retrospective cohort study included 37 patients with Stage I or II pressure ulcers. The patients were followed up for at least 3 weeks. The ultrasonographic and thermographic as- sessments were conducted at the initial multidisciplinary team round. The presence of four ultrasonographic features (unclear layered struc- ture, hypoechoic lesion, discontinuous fascia, and heterogeneous hy- poechoic area) and one thermographic feature (increased temperature) were determined from within the wound bed. Wound healing was re- assessed after 2 weeks and the rate of area reduction was calculated to determine whether the pressure ulcer was healing properly. A mul- tivariate logistic analysis was used to assess the predictive values of the possible assessment features. Results. A comprehensive review of the ultrasonographic and thermographic assessments of the pressure ulcers found that the combination of unclear layered structure and increased temperature was beneficial for predicting wound healing. When a pressure ulcer presented with an unclear layered structure and increased temperature in the wound bed, the risk of delayed wound healing or wound deterioration was 6.85 times higher compared with a pressure ulcer that did not have these manifestations. Conclusion. The combination of ultrasonographic and thermographic assessments facilitates precise prediction of pressure ulcer outcomes.