Diagnostic potential of the infrared thermal camera in the detection of parotid region tumors

Abstract

Introduction/Objective. Timely and accurate diagnosis is essential for successfully treating salivary gland tumors. This study aims to examine the possibility of an infrared thermal camera application in the parotid region pathology. Methods. In 36 patients with histopathologically confirmed tumors of the parotid region, the temperature of the area on the side of the tumor and the contralateral, healthy side was measured. The temperature difference was analyzed and compared with the control group. The measurement was performed using a high-resolution infrared thermographic camera. Statistical significance was tested using the T-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test. Results. The results showed that there is a highly significant difference in temperature between the tumor of the affected parotid regions and the contralateral, healthy side (all tumors: p = 0.001; malignant tumors: p = 0.007). Conclusion. We concluded that determining the temperature differences between the tumor-affected and contralateral, unaffected sides can be an important tool in diagnosing parotid region tumors.