Medical Thermography in Perspective

Abstract

Infrared scanning systems (Thermographs) have added a new dimension to medical diagnosis. The principles of thermography are discussed with special emphasis on the development of instrumentation suitable for clinical and research applications in medicine and biology. Requirements for suitable environmental control and instrument flexibility and means for achieving reliable, reproducible results are described. A summary of the wide range of current medical uses and potential new applications is presented. Special emphasis is placed on breast cancer detection and early diagnosis of extracranial cerebrovascular disease.