Infrared thermal imagers can be used as a non-invasive, rapid auxiliary diagnostic tool to detect oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its cervical lymph node metastases. Here are some key points about this application:
Infrared thermal imager works by detecting and imaging temperature changes on the surface of tissues. Cancerous tissues typically produce more heat due to their increased metabolic activity, thus appearing as hotspots in infrared thermal imaging.
In the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma, infrared thermal imaging cameras can be used to detect abnormal temperature distributions in the oral and cervical regions, thereby helping to identify possible cancerous lesions and lymph node metastasis.
Non-invasive: Infrared thermal imager does not require any physical contact or invasive procedures.
Fast: The diagnostic process usually takes only a few minutes.
Economical: Compared to other imaging technologies (such as CT or MRI), infrared thermal imaging camera is relatively low-cost.
Accuracy: The resolution and accuracy of infrared thermal imagers can be affected by various factors, such as changes in skin surface temperature, environmental temperature, etc.
Quantitative Analysis: Infrared thermal imager is more commonly used for qualitative analysis rather than quantitative diagnosis, hence it needs to be combined with other diagnostic tools (such as pathological examination) to confirm diagnostic results.
Preliminary Screening: Can be used for preliminary screening of high-risk populations or suspected cases.
Monitoring: Used to monitor disease progression or treatment effects during therapy.
Although infrared thermal imager camera shows certain potential in diagnosing oral squamous cell carcinoma and its cervical lymph node metastasis, its application still needs to be combined with other diagnostic methods to ensure accuracy and reliability. Future research and technological advancements may further enhance the diagnostic capabilities and application scope of this tool.
