Breast thermography or infrared imaging is a physiologic study that can document surface heat patterns in the breast area by providing reproducible and accurate images of skin temperature. These images can be analyzed both qualitatively for thermovascular mapping and quantitatively for minute changes in skin heat emission. Anatomic findings may not correlate exactly and may not even be evident as Thermography is a physiologic study that documents surface temperature patterns for clinical correlation.
The room is maintained at 68-70 degrees, the ideal temperature for thermographic testing. The patient disrobes from the waist up. The patient then acclimates to the room temperature for ten to fifteen minutes. The patient is standing about 3 feet from the camera with her arms resting on top of her head. There is no physical contact, no compression, and no x-ray exposure. Two sets of nine thermographic images are taken by a female technician. After the first set of images is taken, the patient is asked to submerge their hands into 50 degrees cold water for one minute. In Thermography this is called a thermoregulatory challenge. The cold challenge provides additional information by determining whether blood vessels dilate or not, allowing us to better define vascular patterns for provider review. The second set of images is taken, the patient dresses, and departs. Usual time spent in the office is 30 minutes.