Imaging
Thermography (DITI)
Digital infrared thermal imaging records temperature patterns on the surface of the skin. It adds information to a clinical assessment; it does not diagnose a condition on its own.
What thermography records
An infrared camera captures heat given off by the skin and turns it into an image of relative temperature differences. A qualified professional reviews those patterns together with your history, symptoms and other appropriate tests.
Thermography does not produce images of internal anatomy the way CT or MRI do.
Not a replacement for screening. Thermography does not replace mammography or other recommended breast-cancer screening. Do not rely on a thermal image to rule out cancer or another condition, and continue the screening and follow-up your clinician recommends.
Questions to ask first
- What is the assessment intended to show?
- Which areas of the body are included?
- How should I prepare?
- Who will explain the results and their limits?
“Full body” thermography
A full-body thermographic assessment measures skin-surface temperature over a larger area. It is not a full-body CT or MRI scan and does not show internal structures.
If you have a new symptom or concern, see a clinician rather than relying on a thermal image.
Common questions
How is thermography different from CT?
CT creates X-ray images of internal structures. Thermography records temperature patterns on the skin. They provide different information, and thermography is used alongside clinical assessment rather than to make a diagnosis on its own.
Does a normal thermal image mean I am healthy?
No. A thermal image cannot rule out disease. Keep up with the screening and follow-up your clinician recommends.
How does MRI compare?
MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to image internal structures. It is a different method and is not one of the services described on this website.
Ask about thermography
Ask what an assessment includes, how to prepare and who reviews the results.