The ability to detect problems early on is a tremendous advantage that is gained through technological advances in the medical field. Diagnosing patients is becoming easier and less intrusive. Most medical imaging methods, however, are becoming increasingly expensive. Medical thermography is one of these technological advances and provides a diagnostic medical imaging procedure that is non-invasive, objective, and relatively inexpensive.

What exactly is thermography? Thermography is an extension of infrared imaging science. Thermal imaging cameras are used to detect radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. These cameras produce images of that radiation that are incredibly useful in evaluating a number of scenarios. Physiological uses of medical infrared techniques are being recognized more and more.

Medical thermography is incredibly useful for assessing body function through indicating developing disease states such as breast cancer and doing so earlier than anatomical examinations. Using thermography in medical imaging has faced some skepticism. Some early skeptics claim that it lacks scientific support and is an ineffective means of medical imaging.

Today, many in the medical field are recognizing the tremendous advantages of using medical thermography. A report from the American Academy of Neurology, Therapeutics and Technology describes the use of medical thermography for diagnosis as a painless and non-intrusive way to gather an objective record from a means that is relatively inexpensive compared to many diagnostic methods. Many diagnostic imaging procedures are expensive when it comes to financial cost as well as how intrusive they are to the patient. As the American Academy of Neurology states, medical infrared techniques are not only really useful for diagnosing and monitoring patients but they also come with a number of benefits. Some techniques such as biopsy, MRI scans, or using chemical scanning are both expensive financially with lab fees and the technology but more importantly, are expensive in terms of how intrusive they are to the patient. Medical thermography can be a useful alternative to these in some situations.

Medical thermography is being increasingly recognized as a tremendously useful way of detecting and monitoring physiological ailments. It is a non-intrusive, inexpensive, and objective way to potentially detect the early symptoms of many physical disorders. Advancements in medical infrared technology makes it more accessible providing objective measures to physicians and useful feedback to patients. Progress in medicine hinges upon the ability to diagnose and monitor patients. In this sense, medical thermography can be thought of as being on the forefront technological advances in medicine.

by Kyle E. Albarado

The author is currently a doctoral student in neuropsychology of memory.

References:

“Assessment: Thermography in neurologic practice.” American Academy of Neurology. http://www.aan.com/professionals/practice/pdfs/g10053.pdf (24 June 2009). Barrett, Stephen.

“A Critical Look at Thermography.” Chirobase. http://www.chirobase.org/06DD/thermography.html (24 June 2009). Derflinger, Tirza & Kane, Robert.

“Thermal Imaging for Medical Applications.” Infrared Cameras Inc. http://www.infraredcamerasinc.com/medical-thermal-imaging.html (24 June 2009).

“What is Medical Thermology.” Medical Infrared. http//www.medicalir.com/medical-infrared-imaging-resources/medical-infrared-imaging-general-information/16-what-is-medical-thermology-infrared-thermal-imaging (24 June 2009).