Thermography

 

 

Thermography 

Medical Infrared Imaging (Thermography) is a noninvasive, adjunctive diagnostic technique that visualizes and records changes in surface skin temperature. An infrared camera is used to produce the visual image, which graphically maps the body temperature and is referred to as a thermogram. Utilization of surface temperature analysis in a clinical setting is appropriate and germane to the practice of healthcare whenever it is deemed necessary for examination of physiology. Just as it is well known that core temperature yields valuable information on the clinical status of the patient, surface temperature has been shown to produce invaluable information on the normal and abnormal functioning of the sensory and sympathetic nervous system, vascular system, musculoskeletal system, and local inflammatory processes.

Breast Risk Assessment Tool- To detect early signs of breast inflammation. With the understanding that where there are areas of unusual patterns of heat or inflammation there can be abnormalities.

Vascular Disease – Thermography can be used to obtain a unique view of the blood vessels in the body. Areas of unusual heat might indicate abnormality, while areas of usually cool temperatures might indicate lack of circulation.

Neuromusculoskeletal Disorders – Thermography has been used to detect nerve irritations and musculoskeletal disorders and help practitioners find the source of a patient’s pain.

Thyroid Disorders – Thermography can see a thermal signal that may alert the patient's doctor to do further tests.

Inflammatory Conditions – Thermography can identify areas that produce abnormal heat patterns possibly indicating an inflammatory condition exists. Both hot and cold responses may coexist if the pain associated with an inflammation focus excites an increase in sympathetic activity.


As with any evolving medical technology, there are likely many other areas in which this technology could be used. Use of the Spectron IR medical imaging system is not intended to be the sole diagnostic procedure for these conditions but rather an adjunctive screening tool to identify areas of concern contributing to the pathogenesis and diagnosis made by the practitioner.