Thermography is the measurement and recording of infrared radiation (heat) coming from the surface of an object.  It is widely used in science, industry, the military, space, medicine and any other area where the measurement and/or visualization of heat is valuable.  Fire departments are now equipped with infrared cameras to find bodies in smoke-filled rooms and see hidden heat to insure fires are completely extinguished.  (There is an alternative definition of thermography for the use of heat in printing operations.)

In medicine, thermography is a screening technique in which an infrared camera is used to measure temperature variations on the surface of the body, producing images that reveal sites of abnormal/abnormal functioning of the sensory & sympathetic nervous systems, vascular dysfunction, myofacial trauma & local inflammatory processes.

Breast screening is the best know application of thermography in medicine.  Digital images are taken of the breasts from several angles typically made up of 50 to 80,000 temperature measurements sensitive to .08 degree centigrade temperature change.  The images are reported on by doctors trained to interpret infrared images.  Although problems may be found on the first screening, it is primarily change over time that is the warning sign thermography is looking for in the breasts.  Each woman has thermal patterns in her breasts which make her thermal image a unique fingerprint of only her.  Interpreters look for changes to these patterns in size, shape & temperature, asymmetry and indications of angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth) which may indicate development of breast health issues.  Changes may be seen 5 years or more before other screening techniques.

Thermography is not a replacement for mammography.  Or any other breast screening technique.  It is easy to see thermography is attractive.  There is no physical contact, no squeezing, and no radiation.  However, like mammography, thermography is not perfect.  Thermography is a good early screening tool for the reasons mentioned above.  Mammography and other screening tools see inside the body and can image tumors of the right size and density.  Thermography does not see inside the body.  It is non-invasive.  Study has shown thermography to be a valuable adjunctive (additional) tool to be used with mammography.  It can also be used where patients refuse mammography or in cases where one or both breasts have been removed, breast implants, dense breasts.

In other areas of the body, infrared imaging can be helpful in the diagnosis of CRPS/RSD (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome/Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy).  Screening for other conditions such as sinus, dental problems, thyroid and carotid screening, indications of cardiopulmonary dysfunction, arthritis, early diabetes, athletic/accident injuries are useful in half or full body imaging.