Medical Thermal Imaging (Thermography)
DOWNLOAD Medical Thermal Imaging paperwork to print out, fill in and bring with you: http://www.medicalti.com/resources/Patient_Information_11-11-07.PDF For more information on Medical Thermal Imaging, visit online at http://www.medicalti.com/index.html
Click the little triangle in the lower left corner to see a video on Breast Thermography!
What is Thermography?
Thermography is the INFLAMMATION technology … without it You’re Only Guessing!
THERMOGRAPHY, also known as Medical “Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging” (DITI) is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that allows the examiner to visualize and quantify changes in skin surface temperature. A digital infrared camera is used to take pictures which then convert the infrared radiation emitted from the surface of the skin into electrical impulses that are visualized in color on a monitor. This visual image graphically maps the body temperature and is referred to as a thermogram. The spectrum of colors indicates an increase or decrease in the amount of infrared radiation being emitted from the body surface. Since there is a high degree of thermal symmetry in the normal body, subtle abnormal temperature asymmetry’s can be easily identified.
Thermography’s major clinical value is in its high sensitivity to pathology in the vascular, muscular, neural and skeletal systems and as such can contribute to the pathogenesis and diagnosis made by the clinician.
Thermography has been used for medical thermal imaging around the world for over 20 years. However, until recently, cumbersome equipment has hampered its diagnostic and economic viability. Current state of the art PC-based “digital infrared” technology with digital cameras designed specifically for clinical & medical applications has changed all this.
Medical DITI is filling the gap in clinical diagnosis …
- X-ray, CT, Ultrasound, MRI, etc., are tests of anatomy
- EMG is a test of motor physiology
- DITI is unique in its capability to show physiological change and metabolic processes. It has also proven to be a very useful complementary procedure to other diagnostic modalities.
Unlike most diagnostic modalities, DITI is non invasive. It is a very sensitive and reliable means of graphically mapping and displaying skin surface temperature. With DITI you can diagnosis, evaluate, monitor and document a large number of injuries and conditions, including soft tissue injuries as well as sensory/autonomic nerve fiber dysfunction.
Medical DITI can offer considerable financial savings by avoiding the need for more expensive investigations.
Medical DITI can graphically display the very subjective feeling of pain by objectively displaying the changes in skin surface temperature that accompany pain states.
Medical DITI can show a combined effect of the autonomic nervous system and the vascular system, down to capillary dysfunctions. The effects of these changes show as asymmetries in temperature distribution on the surface of the body.
Medical DITI is a monitor of thermal abnormalities present in a number of diseases and physical injuries. It is used as an aid for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as therapy follow up and rehabilitation monitoring within clinical fields that include: Rheumatology, neurology, physiotherapy, sports medicine, oncology, pediatrics, orthopedics and many others.
Results obtained with medical DITI systems are totally objective and show excellent correlation with other diagnostic tests.
Medical Thermal Imaging is also the name of a medical infrared camera technology that is used to detect inflammation in the body. Furthermore, to clarify any confusion in identifying organizations offering similar services, the following is a list of other names commonly used for this medical infrared camera technology:
- Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI)
- Medical DITI
- Thermology
- Thermography
- Thermographic Imaging
… these are all synonyms for the same technology that is used to detect inflammation and other heat-related conditions in the human body. Throughout this web site all of these terms are used interchangeably to describe our medical thermal imaging service. The term Thermogram(s) is used to describe the thermal images (or pictures) that are produced by the DITI service.
Interpretation of Thermal Images
All thermal scans are taken by Certified Clinical Thermographers. Scans for women are done by a female thermographer; scans for men are done by a male thermographer. All thermograms are then submitted electronically to a medical interpretation service that is staffed by medical doctors who are Board Certified Clinical Thermologists, all of whom have been trained and certified to read the images and write the interpretative report.
This is similar to the relationship between X-ray technicians and the radiologists that read the X-rays. The technicians take the X-rays. The radiologists are medical doctors that have been trained and certified to read and interpret the X-rays.
Thermographic Services Offered
Breast Scan
By far, the most popular service we offer is the “wellness” breast scan. This is a series of five images that is designed to detect breast cancer as early as 5 years or more before it can be detected by any other type of existing technology. A thermographic breast scan is an adjunct to these other technologies in that we can see the blood flow to any existing or early stage slow-growth tumor years sooner than a mammogram or sonogram can detect a palpable mass.
Another benefit of having a breast scan is its ability to RULE OUT malignant tumors. Palpable lumps or masses that have been detected by a sonogram or mammogram normally need to be diagnosed for malignancy. This is usually done with a needle biopsy. A thermogram will most often see the area where the lump or mass was discovered and if there is no detectable blood flow feeding the mass, it has been shown in clinical studies that there is a 97 to 99% sensitivity that the lump or mass is benign.
To see the results of a 4-year clinical study conducted in the USA by 5 medical institutions – and published in January 2003 by the American Journal of Roentgenology (Radiology) click here.
Full Body and Regional Imaging
In addition to breast scans we offer full body and regional scans as health screening for early detection of inflammation, pain or abnormal cardio-vascular activity. Regional scans cover the head & neck; chest & upper back; abdomen & lower back; shoulders, arms & hands; hips, legs, knees & feet or any combination thereof. Examples of these images can be seen by clicking here.
Our Specialty is Breast Thermography for Women. We do other thermal imaging as well, ranging from Upper Body to Full Body imaging on both men and women. However, 97% of our clients are women who prefer to take advantage of the early detection capabilities offered with breast thermography.
Thermography has been used in human medicine in the U.S.A., Europe and Asia for the past 20 years – and most recently for reliable, early detection of Breast Cancer.
What does Breast Thermography offer that is so different from other existing technologies? It uses highly sensitive infra-red camera technology to measure the heat being emitted from the body. As a result, it can detect the blood supply that feeds a tumor in its infancy. Furthermore, it can see Breast Cancer growth patterns in as early as the second year. This is typically 5 to 8 years before a palpable lump or mass will appear on a mammogram.
Thermography is extremely valuable in the early detection of many health concerns, some of which include:
| · Breast Cancer | · Auto Immune Diseases |
| · Heart Disease | · Oral Pathologies |
| · Vascular Diseases | · Sinus Infection |
| · Insulin Resistance | · Internal Organ Pathologies |
| · Lung Dysfunction | · Arthritis |
Thermography is a crucial addition to any wellness program. It is FDA approved. It is safe. There is no radiation. There is no physical contact. It is non-toxic. There is nothing to drink. We just take a few pictures!
To schedule a Medical Thermal Imaging appointment, CLICK HERE or you can contact us by phone at 301-824-HEAL (4325). We would be happy to make an appointment or answer any questions. Please give us a call. DOWNLOAD Medical Thermal Imaging paperwork to print out, fill in and bring with you to your appointment: http://www.medicalti.com/resources/Patient_Information_11-11-07.PDF. For more information on Medical Thermal Imaging, visit online at http://www.medicalti.com/index.html
