Thermography Research, Case Studies and Supportive Articles

With the new ultra-sensitive, high resolution digital infrared cameras available today, a technology that has been developing over the past 20 years is creating renewed interest.

Thermography as a physiologic test, demonstrates heat patterns that are strongly indicative of breast abnormality, the test can detect subtle changes in breast temperature that indicate a variety of breast diseases and abnormalities and once abnormal heat patterns are detected in the breast, follow-up procedures including mammography are necessary.

It is in this role that thermography provides its most practical benefit to the public and to the medical profession. It is certainly an adjunct to the appropriate usage of mammography and not a competitor. In fact, thermography as a complement may increase the effective usage of mammographic imaging procedures.

Thermography, with its non-radiation, non-contact and low-cost basis, may be a valuable as a marker of breast pathology, and accompanying case management tool for the ongoing monitoring and treatment of breast disease when used under carefully controlled clinical protocols.

Hip Replacement Study

This elderly lady had undergone a left hip replacement surgery 3 months previously and her continued leg pain raised a suspicion for DVT. The thermographic findings were not consistent with DVT but showed a focal area of inflammation that guided a sonographer to a deep abscess near the bone. This was lanced and successfully treated with antibiotics.

Plantar Feet Study

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) right foot, significant increase in sympathetic motor tone fight foot 3.7 degrees Celsius than the left for. A cold stress test was positive, (no sympathetic change). CRPS developed in the right foot after a fractured heel bone 18 months previously. Weight-bearing was painful. The diagnosis of CPRS was missed initially since nuclear imaging was not typical of CRPS. Some cases of CPRS are misdiagnosed as physiological or hysterical pain states. Thermography is able to show characteristic changes if utilized.

Positive comparative study showing changes over one year

This patient was also age 37 when her first baseline thermogram showed a slight hyperthermic asymmetry in the upper right breast. The follow-up study showed the pattern had become more well defined and although clinical correlation did not find anything remarkable it was decided to repeat the exam again in a further 3 months, when again significant changes were seen. Mammography was performed at this stage with the thermographic guidance of the locally suspicious area at 1 O’clock to the right nipple. The mammographic findings were inconclusive and the patient was referred for a repeat mammogram in 12 months. Thermographic monitoring was continued and at the fifth comparative study at 12 months significant changes were still evident and the hyperthermic asymmetry (temperature differentials) had increased. Immediate further investigation was strongly recommended despite a scheduled mammogram in 6 months, and at the patients insistence a repeat mammogram was performed which clearly showed a small calcification (1 mm) at 1 O’clock. Within one week a lumpectomy had been performed with good margins and the pathology confirmed as a malignant carcinoma (DCIS). This patient has now had stable thermograms for the last 2 years and is expected to remain healthy.

Inflammatory Breast Disease

The results of this routine study led to the diagnosis of inflammatory carcinoma in the right breast. There were no clinical indications at this stage. (Thermography can show significant indicators several months before any of the clinical signs of inflammatory breast disease, skin discoloration, swelling and pain). Inflammatory breast disease cannot be detected by mammography and is most commonly seen in younger women, the prognosis is always poor. Early detection provides the best hope of survival.

DCIS with accompanying angiogenesis

This 37 year old patient presented for routine thermographic breast screening, she was not in a high risk category and had no family history. No breast exams had been performed previously. The vascular asymmetry in the upper left breast and the local hypothermia at 11 O’clock was particularly suspicious and subsequent clinical investigation indicated a palpable mass at the position indicated. A biopsy was performed and a DCIS of 2 cm was diagnosed.