Table 1 Descriptions of infrared (IR) imaging signs

IR1

Temperature difference (ΔT) of the lesion site from the mirror image site of the contralateral breast. IR1 = 0 (negative) when ΔT ≤ 2 °C; IR1 = 1 (positive) when ΔT > 2 °C.

IR2

Temperature difference of the lesion site from the adjacent normal breast. IR2 = 0 (negative) when ΔT ≤ 1 °C; IR2 = 1 (positive) when ΔT > 1 °C.

IR3

Abnormal vascular morphologic patterns at and around the tumor. IR3 = 0 when the sign is absent; IR3 = 1 when the sign is present.

IR4

Focal edge or bulge of the surface contour with increased temperature. IR4 = 0 when the sign is absent; IR4 = 1 when the sign is present.

IR5

Asymmetric thermographic and vascular patterns at the tumor site. IR5 = 0 when the sign is absent; IR5 = 1 when the sign is present.