Thermographic Evaluation Before and After the Use of Therapeutic Ultrasound in Breast Engorgement

Abstract

Breast engorgement (BE) is defined as the distension and swelling present in the breasts, observed at the beginning of lactation, causing vascular dilation, alveolar distention, and compression of the ducts. Therapeutic ultrasound (UST) is a resource that produces thermal effects, increasing the permeability of the cell membrane and its transport gradients, reducing the viscosity of fluids, promoting relief of the symptoms of breast engorgement. This research used thermography to assess temperature changes by thermographic images before and 24 h after application of the UST to BE. The study consisted of a randomized clinical trial, with 12 women, who were divided into the following groups: Control (n = 4), UST 1 MHz (n = 4) and UST 3 MHz (n = 4). The UST is a Sonopulse III model (IBRAMED), and configured in: continuous mode, frequency of 1 MHz, effective intensity of 2 W/cm2 for G1 and continuous mode, frequency of 3 MHz, effective intensity of 2 W/cm2 for G2, lasting 5 min in each quadrant. The images were recorded using an infrared camera, model E6 (Flir Systems Inc., Wilconville, USA), and subsequently analyzed using the Flir tools program. It was observed that the use of 1-MHz ultrasound demonstrated a significant reduction in temperature in the breast tissue 24 h after application, with no evidence of hot spots on the surface, inferring a reduction in the inflammatory process produced by the BE. There is no significant difference between temperature before and 24 h after treatment with 3-MHz UST application and Control Group.