New modes of data handling in computerized thermography

The use of thermography and its acceptance as a diagnostic tool are currently limited by the subjective visual interpretation of thermograms. Although computerized thermography handles imaging data digitally, little has been done to use this digital information beyond the display of temperature contour maps. Several computer utilities have been developed to facilitate objective assessment of thermograms. These include facile enclosures of thermological features, statistical assessment of the temperature distribution in the enclosed domains and the use of temperature-gradient profiles. Such tools enable clinicians to justify clinical management decisions objectively, and facilitates the creation of databases with inputs from different medical centers.<>