Abstract Title: Effectiveness of a noninvasive digital infrared thermal imaging system in the detection of breast cancer. Abstract Source: Am J Surg. 2008 Oct;196(4):523-6. PMID: 18809055 Abstract Author(s): Nimmi Arora, Diana Martins, Danielle Ruggerio, Eleni Tousimis, Alexander J Swistel, Michael P Osborne, Rache M Simmons Article Affiliation: Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell, New York, NY, USA. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) has resurfaced in this era of modernized computer technology. Its role in the detection of breast cancer is evaluated. METHODS: In this prospective clinical trial, 92 patients for whom a breast biopsy was recommended based on prior mammogram or ultrasound underwent DITI. Three scores were generated: an overall risk score in the screening mode, a clinical score based on patient information, and a third assessment by artificial neural network. RESULTS: Sixty of 94 biopsies were malignant and 34 were benign. DITI identified 58 of 60 malignancies, with 97% sensitivity, 44% specificity, and 82% negative predictive value depending on the mode used. Compared to an overall risk score of 0, a score of 3 or greater was significantly more likely to be associated with malignancy (30% vs 90%, P<.03). CONCLUSION: DITI is a valuable adjunct to mammography and ultrasound, especially in women with dense breast parenchyma. Article Published Date : Oct 01, 2008

Abstract Title: Efficacy of computerized infrared imaging analysis to evaluate mammographically suspicious lesions. Abstract Source: AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003 Jan;180(1):263-9. PMID: 12490517 Abstract Author(s): Y R Parisky, A Sardi, R Hamm, K Hughes, L Esserman, S Rust, K Callahan Article Affiliation: USC/Norris Cancer Center, 1441 Eastlake Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this clinical trial was to determine the efficacy of a dynamic computerized infrared imaging system for distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions in patients undergoing biopsy on the basis of mammographic findings. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A 4-year clinical trial was conducted at five institutions using infrared imaging of patients for whom breast biopsy had been recommended. The data from a blinded subject set were obtained in 769 subjects with 875 biopsied lesions resulting in 187 malignant and 688 benign findings. The infrared technique records a series of sequential images that provides an assessment of the infrared information in a mammographically identified area. The suspicious area is localized on the infrared image by the radiologist using mammograms, and an index of suspicion is determined, yielding a negative or positive result. RESULTS: In the 875 biopsied lesions, the index of suspicion resulted in a 97% sensitivity, a 14% specificity, a 95% negative predictive value, and a 24% positive predictive value. Lesions that were assessed as false-negative by infrared analysis were microcalcifications, so an additional analysis was performed in a subset excluding lesions described only as microcalcification. In this restricted subset of 448 subjects with 479 lesions and 110 malignancies, the index of suspicion resulted in a 99% sensitivity, an 18% specificity, a 99% negative predictive value, and a 27% positive predictive value. Analysis of infrared imaging performance in all 875 biopsied lesions revealed that specificity was statistically improved in dense breast tissue compared with fatty breast tissue. CONCLUSION: Infrared imaging offers a safe noninvasive procedure that would be valuable as an adjunct to mammography in determining whether a lesion is benign or malignant. Article Published Date : Jan 01, 2003 Study Type : Human Study