What is Thermography (Medical Infrared Imaging)?
Infrared Imaging is a non-contact, non-invasive
procedure for visualizing the body's physiologic response --
and there are no risks or side effects.
Thermal patterns
are displayed on the skin and detected by the infrared sensor
of the camera.
Interpreted as temperature data it is
transmitted to the computer where all images are stored as
pictures.
All information is correlated to the client's
main area of complaint or symptoms.
By detecting thermal
asymmetry, thermal imaging offers the physician an added
dimension to the diagnostic picture, detecting neurological and
vascular information not available on x-ray.
The other
areas of detection include vascular or blood vessel anarchy or
inappropriate appearing blood vessels.
Abnormal cells
including cancer cells require a blood supply to grow.
These blood vessels tend to be atypical from normal and can
be detected with our high contrast digital thermogram camera.
The reports are formally read by a Board Certified
Thermographic Physician and include a colored report for your
records.
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What types of evaluations are done with infrared imaging?Infrared Imaging is the test of choice for monitoring breast health and changes associated with breast disease. Other areas of the body are evaluated for changes in thermal or temperature patterns and vascular or blood vessels changes. Areas of chronic pain, inflammation, wound healing or disease can be evaluated thermographically to assist the physician with a diagnosis and treatment plan.
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- Detect thermal indicators as they relate to infection, inflammation or fibrocystic disease.
- Determine thermal indications of angiogenic or blood vessel significance that would require further evaluation.
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Infrared imaging is the test of choice for
undetermined pain disorders such as:
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- Muscular skeletal disorders including wound healing and chronic pain
- Impaired peripheral circulation including varicosities, peripheral vascular disease or blood viscosity concerns
- Neuropathies
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An ideal screening test for early
detection of changes in breast health
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Thermal imaging can be done on women of any age.
With the
dense breast tissue of women under 40, it is ideal for
differentiating fibrocystic disease from possible active
tumors.
Thermal imaging detects the increased metabolic
heat associated with increased vascularity of most suspicious
growths, and can sense the "thermal signal", often years in
advance of a mass detected on x-ray.
It also can visualize
blood vessel changes, or angiogenesis, that may be associated
with tumors.
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An initial set of images are taken after acclimation to a
stable room environment.
This series is then repeated after
a "cold stress", which is done by placing your hands in cold
water.
A cold stress is necessary to observe the normal
breast blood flow.
This test provides more information for
the physician making the evaluation.
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Thermal Imaging is an adjunctive exam that
can provide a more comprehensive picture to
your on-going monitoring of breast health.
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Monthly self-exam, annual physician exam, yearly thermal imaging and mammography when indicated increase the effectiveness of early detection to greater than 95%.
We also utilize the GAIL model of statistical evaluation for the 5 year and lifetime risk for breast cancer.
Screening cancer markers including CA 15-3, CA 27.29 and CA 125 are utilized on an individual basis.
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Visualize Complex Pain Problems
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Identifying the cause of pain is a challenge to most
physicians.
Pain can be referred from the point of origin
through a series of nerve pathways.
This referral can
become complicated and solving the puzzle to relieve the pain
can require a complicated series of tests.Thermal
imaging provides a visual, non-contact image of the autonomic
nervous system.
It is the only test that shows the doctor
this specific pathway.
"Evoked potential" exam display the
sensory pathways, and EMG the motor pathways.
These two
paths, however, are not the only pathways of pain.
Seeing
the autonomic response can often lead the physician to a faster
resolution of the problem.
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Infrared imaging is also beneficial for following treatment of pain disorders.
By taking an infrared picture of the region before and during therapy, the physician can document the effect of treatment.
Both you and your doctor are provided with visual proof of its effectiveness.
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