Assessing paediatric scald injuries using Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging

BackgroundThe use of objective methods for assessment of burns is limited. Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) is a non-invasive technique for instant measurement of tissue perfusion, making it potentially valuable for early prediction of burn wound outcome.AimTo evaluate the influence of technical factors on perfusion and to measure perfusion in burns 0–14 days post-burn and compare this with the outcome of the burn wound at 14 days after burn.MethodThe effect of room light, camera distance and camera angle was studied using a suspension of polystyrene particles. LSCI measurements were performed on 45 scald burns and 32 uninjured areas 0–14 days after burn.ResultTechnical factors had no clinically relevant effect on measured perfusion. Burns that healed within 14 days had a higher perfusion during the first week post-burn than burns that healed after 14 days or underwent surgery. The difference in perfusion was largest 4–7 days after burn.ConclusionLSCI allows for robust, instant measurement of burns and can easily be applied in a clinical setting. Differences in perfusion during the first week post-burn are related to the outcome after 14 days.