Thermography
Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI), also known as thermography, is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that converts infrared radiation emitted from the skin surface into electrical impulses that are visualized in color. The spectrum of colors indicate an increase or decrease in the amount of infrared radiation being emitted from the body surface.
Medical Thermography graphically displays and records the subjective feeling of pain by objectively displaying changes in skin surface temperature that are produced by pain states. Its major clinical value is high sensitivity to pathology in the vascular, muscular, neural and skeletal systems. This can enhance diagnosis by the clinician.
Clinical uses for thermography include:
- localize an abnormal area not previously identified, so further diagnostic tests can be performed
- define the extent of a lesion previously diagnosed
- detect early lesions before they are clinically evident
- monitor both treatment and healing before the patient is returned to work
