Key result
A novel semi-automated method for analyzing supraclavicular thermal images improved analysis speed by 86% (54.9 seconds/image) without increasing variation between analyzers.
Why the study?
In vivo imaging of brown adipose tissue lacks suitable modalities for large studies and vulnerable groups, and using anatomical borders in infrared thermography makes image analysis slow.
A novel semi-automated method for analyzing supraclavicular thermal images significantly increases analysis speed without compromising consistency, facilitating larger studies of brown adipose tissue.
Interest in brown adipose tissue remains high a decade after it was determined to be present outside of the neonatal period. In vivo imaging, however, has remained a challenge due to the lack of a imaging modality suitable for large healthy-volunteer studies, post-prandial investigations and vulnerable groups, such as children. Infrared thermography is increasingly accepted as a valid, non-invasive and flexible alternative but there is a wide approach to analysis between different groups. Defining the region of interest with anatomical borders rather than using a simple polygon may have advantages in terms of consistency but makes image analysis slower, limiting some applications. Our novel semi-automated method, using a custom-built graphical user interface, allows an 86% improvement in speed of image analysis (54.9 (38.3-71.4) seconds/image) without increases in variation between analysers or with repeated analysis. The improved efficiency demonstrated makes feasible larger studies, longer imaging periods or increased image acquisition frequency, providing an opportunity to study novel features of brown adipose tissue function.
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Law et al. (2021) studied Brown adipose tissue analysis. Semi-automated analysis method using a custom-built graphical user interface vs. Standard manual analysis was evaluated on Speed of image analysis (86% improvement). A novel semi-automated method for analyzing supraclavicular thermal images improved analysis speed by 86% (54.9 seconds/image) without increasing variation between analyzers.
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