Digital Infrared Imaging

   

    Over thirty years of clinical use and more than 8,000 peer-reviewed studies in the medical literature have established digital infrared imaging (DII) as a safe and effective means to examine the human body (1-10). This highly specialized technology fills the gap left by less sensitive analytical procedures.

     DII is based on a careful measurement and analysis of skin surface temperatures. It is completely non-invasive and does not require the use of radiation or other potentially harmful elements. Special training is required to capture as well as to interpret the images. Extensive research and investigation performed at prestigious medical teaching institutions such as Johns Hopkins University Medical School, have established normal values for the distribution of heat in each region of the body (11-13). During the DII examination, variation from these normal values are measured and correlated with suspected injuries or diseases in the same way a blood or urine laboratory study is interpreted.

     DII excels at measuring nervous system function. It possesses 96% sensitivity and 94% specificity rating respectively (14-17). Sensitivity is the ability to detect an abnormal finding in a group of people known to have a particular condition. Specificity is the ability to detect a normal finding in a group of people known to be free of that condition. Other common imaging procedures such as MRI, CT scan and EMG have ratings which are all under 90% and some possessing up to 40% errors (15).

     Many imaging procedures demonstrate changes in the structure of the body (anatomy) but do not measure how well it functions (physiology). X-ray, CT scan, and MRI all look at anatomy whereas DII analyzes physiology. The use of anatomical imaging exclusively to detect a nerve problem would be incomplete. This would be similar to a mechanic trying to diagnose a car problem by looking at all the parts of the vehicle and never hooking it up to an analyzer and turning the car on.

     Digital Infrared Imaging is not limited to the detection of nervous system conditions. Medical research has shown it to be helpful in the investigation of: Breast Cancer, Repetitive Strain Injuries, Headaches, Neck and Back Problems, TMJ Conditions, Numerous Pain Syndromes, Arthritis, Vascular Disorders, and Soft Tissue Injuries among others (18-37). Treatment failure is often the result of incomplete or misdiagnosis. By assisting the doctor in this process, DII ultimately helps to ensure that a patient is receiving the most appropriate care for their condition.
  1. Hobbins, W. Thermography and Pain. Biomedical Thermology, Alan R. Liss, Inc., New York. 1982:361-375.
  2. Uematsu S. Thermographic Imaging of Cutaneous Sensory Segment in Patients with Peripheral Nerve Injury – Skin Temperature Stability Between Sides of the Body. J Neurosurg 1985;62:716-720.
  3. Hubbard, J., Hoyt, C. Pain Evaluation in 805 Studies by Infrared Imaging. Thermology 1986;1:161-166.
  4. Joint Council of State Neurosurgical Societies of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Council Report – Neurosurgical Clinical Procedure Review of Thermography. Original Report 1988.
  5. Feldman, F., Nickoloff, E. Normal Thermographic Standards in the Cervical Spine and Upper Extremities. Skeletal Radiol 1984;12:235-249.
  6. AMA Council on Scientific Affairs. Thermography in neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. Thermology 1987;2:600-607.
  7. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Subcommittee on Assessment of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Modalities, December 1990.
  8. American Chiropractic College of Thermology and ACA Council on Diagnostic Imaging, ratified by ACA House of Delegates. Policy statement on thermography, 1988.
  9. Abernathy M, Nichols R, Robinson C, Brandt M. Noninvasive testing for carotid stenosis: Thermography's place in the diagnostic profile. Thermology 1985;1:61-66.
  10. Academy of Neuromuscular Thermography, Standards for neuromuscular thermography. Clin Thermography 1989 (Aug).
  11. Feldman F, Nickoloff EL. Normal thermographic standards for the cervical spine and upper extremities. Skeletal Radiol 1984;12:235-249.
  12. Uematsu S, Edwin DH, JankeI WR, Kozikowski J, Trattner M. Quantification of thermal asymmetry: Part 1. Normal values and reproducibility. J Neurosurg 1988;69:552-555.
  13. Uematsu S, Jankel WR, Edwin DH, Kim DM. Quantification of thermal asymmetry: Part 2. Application in low back pain and sciatica. J Neurosurg 1988:69:556-561.
  14. Weinstein SA. A review of 500 Patients With Low Back Complaints: Comparison of Five Clinically Accepted Diagnostic Modalities. Academy of Neuromuscular Thermography, First Annual Meeting, May 1985; Postgrad Med, special edition, 1986.
  15. LaBorde, T. Thermography in Diagnosis of Neuropathies – A Literature Review. Clin J Pain 1989;5:249-253.
  16. Hubbard JE, Hoyt C. Pain Evaluation in 805 Patients Studied by Infrared Imaging. Thermology 1986;1:161-166.
  17. Sherman RA, Barja RH, Bruno GM. Thermographic Correlates of Chronic Pain: Analysis of 125 Patients Incorporating Evaluations by a Blind Panel. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1987;66:273-279.
  18. Chafitz N, Wexler CE, Kaiser JA. Neuromuscular thermography of the lumbar spine with CT correlation. Radiology 185 ;157-178.
  19. Ching C, Wexler CE. Peripheral thermographic manifestations of lumbar disc disease. Applied Radiology 1978;100:53-58.
  20. Conwell TD. Thermography in diagnosing myofascial pain syndromes and localizing trigger points. DC Tracts 1990;2(4):207-220.
  21. Dali TF, Abernathy M, Luessenhop AJ, Stotsky G. Electronic thermography in the diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy. Proc Cong Neurol Surg, Oct 1983.
  22. Devereaux MD, Parr GR, Lachmann SM, et al. Thermographic diagnosis in athletes with patellofemoral arthralgia. J Bone Joint Surg 1986;68:42-44.
  23. Diakow PRP. Thermographic imaging of myofascial trigger points. JMPT 1988; 11(2):114-117.
  24. Drummond PD, Lance JW. Thermographic changes in cluster headaches. Neurology 1984;34: 1292-1298.
  25. Hendler N, Uematsu S, Long D. Thermographic validation of physical complaints in psychogenic pain patients. Psychosomatics 1982:23.
  26. Herrich RT. Thermography as a diagnostic tool for carpal tunnel syndrome. 13th Annual Meeting American Academy Thermology, Washington DC, June 1984.
  27. Hobbins WB. Thermography in sports medicine. In: Appenzeller O, ed. Sports Medicine, ed 3, Baltimore: Urban & Schwarzenberg, 1988:395-403.
  28. Hodge SD, ed. Thermography and personal injury litigation. New York: Wiley, 1987.
  29. Weinstein SA, Weinstein G. The validation of TMJ dysfunction with standardized computerized electronic thermography. Modern Med, special supplement. Academy of Neuromuscular Thermography, Clinical Proceedings, Orlando, FL,1986:35-40.
  30. Weinstein SA, Weinstein G. A clinical comparison of cervical thermography with EMG, CT scanning, myelography and surgical procedures in 500 patients. Academy of Neuromuscular Thermography, 1st Annual Meeting, May 1985. Post grad Med, special ed, 1986:44-46.
  31. Sioni, I. H.: Thermography in Suspected Deep Venous Thrombosis of Lower Leg. Europ J. Radiol., May 1985; pp. 281-284.
  32. Andersons: Thermography and Plethysmography in the Diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis. A comparison with Phlebography. ACTA Med. Scand., 1986; pp. 219, 359-366.
  33. Ecker, A.: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Thermography in Diagnosis. Psychiatric Annals, 14(11), pp. 787-793, 1984.
  34. Swerdlow, B., Dieter, J. N.: "The Persistent Migraine Cold Patch and the Fixed Facial Thermogram," Thermology, 1986; 2: 1620.
  35. Wood, E. H.: Thermography in the Diagnosis of Cerebrovascular Disease. Radiology, 1965; 85: pp. 270-283.
  36. Lance, J. W., Anthony, M.: Thermographic Studies in Vascular Headache. Med J., Aug., 1971; pp. 240-243.
  37. Swerdlow, B., Dieter, J.: The Validity of the Vascular "Cold Patch" in the Diagnosis of Chronic Headache. Headache, 1986; 26: pp. 22-26.