Signal differences usually result from different "wash-in" / "wash out" kinetics of the contrast agent at the site of inflammation. The fluorescence camera system Xiralite® X4 is optimized to detect even very low amounts of the contrast agent ICG and thus enables the diagnosis of small inflammatory lesions. Signal intensity, localization of the signal, and the time period of enhancement are relevant for differential diagnosis.
Xiralite® X4 induces the fluorescence of ICG using light-emitting diodes (LED) and quantitatively records the fluorescence emitted in all joints of both hands. Thus active inflammation can be simultaneously diagnosed in up to 30 joints.
Accordingly, the Rheumascan procedure is suited for detection of early onset of inflammation in joints, as well as for monitoring of antiinflammatory therapies. The differential diagnosis of different diseases is a further application of Rheumascan.