Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) of breast lesions: sensitivity and specificity of detection of primary breast cancers

Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) of breast lesions: sensitivity and specificity of detection of primary breast cancers
M. Kontosa, R. Wilson and I. Fentiman
Clinical Radiology 2011 66;6:536-539

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Thermography had 90 true-negative, 16 false-positive, 15 false-negative and 5 true-positive results. The sensitivity was 25%, specificity 85%, positive predictive value 24%, and negative predictive value 86%.

Despite being non-invasive and painless, because of the low sensitivity for breast cancer, DITI is not indicated for the primary evaluation of symptomatic patients nor should it be used on a routine basis as a screening test for breast cancer.