Microwave thermography: a method of detecting subsurface thermal patterns.

A discussion has been given of the principles and techniques of microwave thermography. The method is analogous to infrared thermography in that it detects thermal radiation emitted by the body. It differs in that it is sensitive to temperatures several centimeters beneath the skin surface and has coarser spatial resolution. Results are shown of successful attempts to detect subsurface thermal gradients in feline and human tissue. Planned clinical evaluation is described.