 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Clinical Thermography |
|
Clinical Thermography is a non-invasive infrared imaging procedure that can detect and monitor numerous diseases and conditions by showing the abnormal temperature variations in the body. It is a combination of utilizing sensitive digital photography with specialized computer software to perceive and detect these differences. Integrative Medical Specialists offers clear, high quality images utilizing our high resolution camera and our temperature specific thermography software. Thermography can play a large role in the early detection and monitoring of many conditions, including breast cancer. Thermography has also been repeatedly proven to accurately How Can Thermography Help Me? Thermography can be helpful in detecting and monitoring many conditions including:
Will My Insurance Pay For This? Some insurance companies are starting to reimburse patients for this procedure. You will need to pay for the service at the scheduled appointment time. A superbill with the correct coding information will be given to you to attach to your claim form for reimbursement of this service. It will be your responsibility to determine if this will be a covered service under your plan. Breast Cancer Screening This year, over 190,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. Even worse, will be the number of cancers that are not detected until it is too late. Early detection is the key to survival. Unfortunately for many, detection is not occurring early enough. Most women are advised to begin having mammograms at age 40. By the time most cancers are detected by a mammogram, they have already been growing for up to 10 years. In addition, 20% of all cancers cannot be detected by a mammogram. Doctors are also finding an increase in breast cancer for younger women, who are not being monitored at all. Women are in need of a a better screening process, including a biological risk assessment. It has been found that an abnormal thermographic report is the most important warning signal of a high risk for developing breast cancer. Studies show that thermography has the ability to warn a woman that cancer may be forming up to 10 years before any other test can detect it. That means, breast thermography not only has the ability to detect cancer at its earliest stage, but can also act as a warning for the future risk of breast cancer. Here, at Integrative Medical Specialists, we are proud to offer a unique, very detailed report. Unlike many others, our report offers not only a biological risk assessment rating TH1 - TH5, but also an individual scoring for each breast, along with a copy of the scale that allows you to see exactly where you are in your potential risk categories. This report can then be given to your referring physician or Dr. Diehn, who can work with you on different diet and lifestyle choices to assist in correcting the imbalance in the breast tissue, lower your category score and your risk of developing breast cancer. Understanding Your Risk Rating All infrared breast examinations are placed in a specific TH (thermobiological) risk category. Your risk of future breast cancer, or the chance that a cancerous tumor is present, increases with TH3 ratings and above.
TH 1 – Normal Non-Vascular Image
TH 2 – Normal Vascular Image
TH 3 – Equivocal Image (questionable)
TH 4 – Abnormal Image
TH 5 – Severely Abnormal Image
|
What Can I Expect During a Thermography Exam? Prior to the appointment, written instructions will be given on how to prepare for your appointment. It is critical that these instructions be followed exactly to ensure accurate images. The length of your thermography appointment will depend upon the type of scan you have done. One area of the body can take up to fifteen minutes to complete the imaging, while a full body scan can take up to one hour. The session starts with completion of paperwork including a medical history and consent form authorizing Integrative Medical Specialists, LLC to perform the imaging. The technician will go over your personal health history with you before you begin. You must remove all jewelry and hair must be pulled back from your neck and face. You will be partially disrobed to perform some of the actual imaging. A hospital gown will be provided. Fifteen minutes prior to the actual imaging, you will be ask to sit in a chair and acclimate your body temperature to the actual room temperature. Once acclimation has occurred, the technician will take the images using a digital infrared camera. Your images will be sent to a thermography trained doctor that will interpret them. Within two weeks, a detailed written report will be sent to our office for review. A copy of the report will be sent to you. Upon receipt of this report, you will want to follow up on any suggestions or recommendations with your referring physician or Dr. Diehn to determine the best and appropriate treatment options. If further diagnostic imaging is needed, you will be referred out for a mammogram, ultrasound, MRI or other testing depending upon the diagnostic information that is needed.
Thermal Imaging Preparation Instructions The following instructions must be followed in order to ensure accurate images. Please read the following instructions and adhere to them as closely as possible.
If you are scheduled for a breast thermogram, the same protocol applies, along with no physical stimulation of the breasts for twenty-four hours before the exam. If you are nursing, please avoid this for at least one hour prior to the exam. Please note: During part of the examination, you will be partially disrobed for both imaging and to allow the body to acclimate to the room. Links to more Thermography Information Call us at 913 825 6111 for more information.
|
