Thermography

How Does Thermography Work?

Certified thermography technicians utilize digital cameras to capture infrared radiation emitted by the human body. They then convert these emissions into temperature readings, displaying the results on a computer screen. Thermologists can identify variations in temperature in comparison to the opposite side of the body, with areas exhibiting reduced blood flow reflecting colder temperatures and those with increased blood flow showing warmer readings.

Types of Cameras Used in Thermography

Cameras used in the industry vary considerably.  The higher the resolution the better to a point.  At Thermology Trio, we use a state of the art, FDA Cleared system.   Medical Thermal Cameras produce high-resolution, ultra-sensitive infrared images that can be translated into heat measurements. 

What Can Thermography Detect?

Thermography captures the surface temperatures of the human body, providing data for analysis by a skilled thermologist. Infrared thermal imaging has the potential to identify any disease process that produces heat or impacts circulation. The FDA has approved the following as complementary screening methods when used alongside thermography:

  • Breast Cancer

  • Thyroid Pathology

  • Cerebrovascular Health

  • Neuro-muscular Pathology

Additionally, there are promising and emerging areas that merit attention, including:

  • Fibrocystic breast disease

  • Vascular disease

  • Lymphatic stagnation

  • Breast Health

  • Skin Cancer

  • Testicular Cancer

  • Infection

Thermography was FDA cleared as an adjunctive screening procedure for breast cancer in 1982.

Technological progress has enabled more precise examinations. Research has investigated thermography's effectiveness in comparison to alternative testing methods. A 2008 study, featured in the American Journal of Surgery and conducted at New York Presbyterian Hospital Cornell, demonstrated a 97% sensitivity in distinguishing cancer compared to biopsy. The findings revealed that thermography accurately identified 97% (58 out of 60) of cancers when contrasted with mammography. However, it's worth noting that obesity and large breasts were limiting factors in the study.

What Makes Thermography Unique?

Thermography, also known as Digital Infrared Imaging (DITI), aids in the detection of heat generated by increased blood vessel circulation (angioneogenesis) and metabolic changes associated with tumor formation. Advantages of Thermography include:

  • Safety and comfort in Breast Thermography.

  • Absence of radiation.

  • Non-contact procedure.

  • No compression involved.

  • Convenient establishment of a baseline.

  • Applicability for women with dense breasts and implants.

  • Extensive research spanning over 30 years, supported by more than 800 peer-reviewed studies.

  • Effective identification of approximately 95% of early-stage cancers in a multi-modal approach.