I mentioned Digital Infrared Imaging to my doctor and was told that the procedure is outdated and useless, is this true?

Unfortunately, many physicians either do not know about this technology or are knowledgeable about a single poorly performed (with regards to DII) research study; the BCDDP (Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project). The BCDDP was a large study done in the 1970’s that collected data from many centers around the United States. Three methods of breast cancer detection were studied: physical examination, mammography, and thermography.

With regards to thermography, the BCDDP was seriously flawed in six critical areas.

1. Completely untrained technicians were used to perform the scans.
2. The study used radiologists who had no experience or knowledge in reading infrared images.
3. No standardized reading protocol had yet been established for infrared imaging.
4. Proper laboratory environmental controls were completely ignored. In fact, many of the research sites were mobile trailers with extreme variations in internal temperatures.
5. Low resolution industrial grade infrared imagers were used.
6. The initial premise of the study was flawed: "A negative thermogram would preclude the need for a mammogram." A fuctional imaging test (thermography) cannot replace a structural imaging procedure (mammography). These two imaging tools complement each other. Thermography is to be used in addition to mammography, not as a replacement.

Of considerable concern was the reading of the images. It wasn’t until the early 1980’s that established and standardized reading protocols were introduced. Considering these facts, the BCDDP could not have properly evaluated infrared imaging. With the advent of known laboratory environmental controls, established reading protocols, and state-of-the-art infrared technology, a poorly performed 20-year-old study cannot be used to determine the appropriateness of DII.

FEM Centre has utilized DITI for many years and we have found the Spectron IR camera and software superior to our previous equipment. The package Spectron offers has enabled us to qualitatively and quantitatively asses the rate and pattern of asymmetry of heat and vascular patterns. Due to its 307,000-pixel image capability, the quality of the image is far superior to that of the competitor. These attributes have allowed the analysis of asymmetries over a specific period by means of serial exams.

Additionally, we have found the software support from the staff exemplary and professional going beyond our expectations allowing us to provide the best possible care for our patients.

-          Joseph McWherter M.D.

FEM Centre

http://spectronir.com/testimonials

Assessment of the impact of the visual work with display monitors on the eye temperature and intraocular pressure.

[Article in Polish]

Pas-Wyroślak A, Wagrowska-Koski E, Jurowski P.

Source

Przychodnia Chorób Zawodowych, Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera, Łódź. alapw@imp.lodz.pl

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the visual work with display monitors on the eye surface temperature, intraocular pressure and on the eye moisturizing condition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The study was conducted among 50 people working with display monitors (CRT, LCD) and without monitor. The temperature of the eye surface via thermo camera and intraocular pressure were measured, as well as Schirmer's test was performed before and after 4 h of visual work. Thermography was also performed after 1 h.

RESULTS:

The studies revealed no significant effect of all visual works in patients with normal tear secretion. Only among those with dry eye syndrome, statistically significant increase in the eye surface temperature was found and averaged 0.5 degrees C after 4 h of all visual works.

CONCLUSION:

The studies revealed that intensive visual work with CRT and LCD display monitors and without monitor causes changes in the eye surface temperature, especially after the first hour of visual work and in patients with dry eye syndrome. The results of tonometry showed that all visual works at a short distance lead to the decreased intraocular pressure, resulting from the improved aqueous humor outflow. Finally, no negative effects of the visual work with the display monitor on the eye was found. However, the appropriate duration of work and application of tear substitutes play an important role in people with the symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

PMID:

 

21452565

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Coming events cast their shadows before: detecting inflammation in the acute diabetic foot and the foot in remission.

Bharara M, Schoess J, Armstrong DG.

Source

Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.

Abstract

The incidence of diabetic foot complications, most notably wounds, is increasing worldwide. Most people who present for care of a foot wound will become infected. Globally, this results in one major amputation every 30 seconds with over 2500 limbs lost per day. Presently, clinicians assess circulation, neuropathy and plantar pressures to identify the risk of foot ulceration. Several studies have suggested prevention of foot ulcers by identifying individuals at high risk and treating for lower extremity complications. Our group has proposed several diagnostics as well as prevention strategies, especially thermography and thermometry for management of patients with diabetic foot complications. These strategies employ non-invasive assessment of inflammation for acute as well as chronic care for the foot, with the intent to prevent ulceration/re-ulceration and subsequent traumatic amputations. The authors' review some important clinical studies and ongoing research in this area, with the long-term goal to further the role of thermography and thermometry in clinical care for the diabetic foot.

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID:

 

22271717

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Nasal airflow and thoracoabdominal motion in children using infrared thermographic video processing.

Goldman LJ.

Source

Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology, La Paz Children's University Hospital, Paseo de la Castellana 261, Madrid, Spain. luisgoldman@terra.es

Abstract

The assessment of apnea and asynchronous breathing requires the application of a facemask connected to a pneumotachograph and inductive transducer bands placed around the chest wall. These contact devices may alter the breathing pattern and are difficult to implement, especially in infants and children. This study validates a contactless image-processing system that simultaneously retrieves breath-related thermal variations from nasal, ribcage, and abdomen regions of interest (ROI) from infrared thermographic video recordings of children. Thermographic videos were obtained in 17 supine, spontaneously breathing unsedated children (0.33-13.75 years), including 8 patients with respiratory pathology. Representative thermographic signals were obtained from each ROI on a frame-by-frame basis. Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient assessed the correlation between control nasal pressure period, the visually scored respiratory rate and the fundamental period in the frequency domain of thermographic signals. A cross-correlation function calculated the time delay and the phase angle between ribcage and abdomen variability. A Cronbach's Alpha value of 0.976 (0.992-0.944 95% CI) suggests a small-scale measurement error between thermographic and control periods. The ribcage-abdomen time delay in children with respiratory disease (-0.42 ± 0.707 sec) significantly differed from healthy children (0.22 ± 0.426 sec, P = 0.0125). This novel system reliably acquired time-aligned nasal airflow and thoracoabdominal motion estimates without relying on attached sensor performance and detected asynchronous breathing in pediatric patients.

Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID:

 

22009760

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

www.spectronir.com/testimonials