Breast Thermography Evaluation Program Instructions — Recording Temperature Measurements

TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS

Temperature Entry

Enter the respective temperatures in degrees Celsius. Temperatures entered do not require better than 1°C accuracy.

Global hyperthermia is evidenced when a breast's mean (average) temperature is elevated relative to its contralateral breast and/or to its adjacent sternal region.

Temperatures previously imparted to the program initially determines the possible presence of global hyperthermia, albeit ambiguously. Equal weight is given to the possible presence of global hypothermia of the opposite breast. These important thermal signs influence the interpretation, so it is important to resolve or account for possible ambiguities. Different queries are offered depending on the scenario.

An ambiguity occurs when both breasts are elevated relative to their respective sternal regions. This apparent unusual clinical situation may also be an important clinical indication, so the ambiguity must be resolved. This situation may be due to improper patient examination preparation, inadequate data acquisition technique, incorrect data entry, or it may indicate possible pathology.

If the temperatures entered give rise to hyperthermia or hypothermia conditions, the analyst is queried for further information to resolve possible ambiguity.