How is Digital Infrared Imaging or Breast Thermography Performed?

Prior to a digital infrared imaging examination (breast thermography), patients are asked to follow these recommendations:

• No sun exposure to the breasts 10 days prior to the exam
• No use of deodorants, antiperspirants, powders, creams, lotions, body make-up, or hot/cold packs prior to the exam
• No exercise within 4 hours of the exam
• No physical stimulation or treatment of the breasts for 24 hours prior to the exam
• No physical therapy, chiropractic, or acupuncture treatments 24 hours prior to the exam
• No bathing any closer than 1 hour before the exam

The procedure for breast thermography begins with filling out a specialized breast health history form,  which includes any current symptoms or past conditions that would impact upon the examination. The patient is then taken into the imaging room where strict environmental controls are observed. The laboratory must be draft free, isolated from any outside infrared sources, and maintained at a temperature between 18-23 degrees Celsius (68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.) This temperature range has been established so that the body maintains a thermal steady state.

The patient is instructed to disrobe to the waist and is seated in a chair where she is allowed to acclimate to the temperature of the room for 15 minutes before the scan is performed. Once equilibrated, the patient is positioned in front of a medical infrared imaging camera. A set of images are taken from different angles and sent to a computer for storage and analysis (these images are kept on archival media for precision comparison of future images so that the health of the breasts can be monitored over time). Sophisticated computer programs allow the doctor to isolate temperature differentials, perform vascular analyses, dynamic thermal subtraction studies, and more.

Once the images have been analyzed, they are graded using a strict standardized reading protocol. Each breast’s image is placed into one of five thermobiological (TH) categories:

TH 1 – Normal non-vascular

TH 2 – Normal uniform vascular

TH 3 – Equivocal

TH 4 – Abnormal

TH 5 – Severely abnormal

Depending upon the results of the exam, further tests may be ordered and/or future infrared scans performed at recommended intervals to monitor the health of the breasts.

Bilateral Breast TH 2 Normal Vascular Image
COLD		HOT

As shown on the color bar above, the darker colors (deep blue, purple, and dark red) represent cooler colors, and the lighter colors (bright red, orange, and yellow) correlate to warmer colors. Note that the color (temperature) patterns of the breasts are very close to identical when compared to each other.

Right Breast TH 3 – Equivocal Vascular Image

Note the increased temperature (shown as orange and red) of the superior medial aspect of the right breast.

Left Breast TH4 – Abnormal Image

Note the increased temperature (metabolism) of the superior medial aspect of the left breast as shown in red, orange, and yellow.