Thermal Imaging of the Human Neck for Thyroid Gland Detection Based on CT Scan Images

摘要

The target of this study is to construct a real three-dimensional model of the human neck and the internal tissues mainly includes of the thyroid gland based on computed tomography (CT) scan images of a patient. The model is used for analyzing heat transfer in the neck while the thyroid gland acts as a heat source via a function of its temporal temperature. An internal convection through the trachea and an external convection through the skin with the ambient air are considered. The output is the temperature distribution on the neck surface referred to as the thermal map or thermal image. The thermal image shows that that the area of skin which is located in front of the thyroid gland has higher temperature (i.e. about 1.5-2°C) relative to the surrounding areas. Moreover, the image can estimate the thyroid gland shape. Therefore, by the use of infrared thermal camera, thyroid disorders and diseases which are related to the malfunction of the thyroid and thyroid deformity can be detected.