Do Some Companies Use Different Autonomic or “Cold” Challenges Than IMS?

The Short answer is “Yes”, but before we get into more detail, let’s review what an Autonomic or “Cold” Challenge is.  

An Autonomic or "Cold" challenge is simply a functional evaluation of the body's normal response to conserve critical core body temperature by constricting nonessential blood vessels, such as those in the breast.  If, during such a challenge, the blood vessels do not constrict, benign physiologic processes, such as pregnancy, lactation or hormonal imbalances, are ruled-out.  For even more information, see our post to the question Is the Autonomic or “Cold” Challenge Necessary?  

In 1989, our laboratory developed a protocol to be used between two identical sets of images, our “Cold” Challenge.  Using this protocol, we could observe the abnormal nature of the blood flow to a tumor caused by the dysfunctional blood vessels nourishing it.  Neo-angiogenisis, or new blood vessel creation, is critical to the development of a malignant tumor and they are of a decidedly abnormal architecture.  Additionally, large quantities of nitric oxide produced by cancerous cells have the effect of a potent dilator of regional blood vessels.  Both of these mechanisms provide an unregulated flow of core-body temperature blood into the proximity of malignant cells.

During our investigative and research process, it was clear that simple application of an external stimulus, cold, was not enough.  If the water was too cold, a pain reaction would occur causing reactions other than those we were trying to observe.  If the water was not cold enough, only a limited reaction could be seen.  Another variable, time, was found to be critical.  If too much time elapsed between the appropriate stimuli and the taking of the second set of images, the body would adapt and in many cases overcompensate for the reduced blood flow leaving a higher skin temperature than the baseline.  If not enough time had elapsed, the full effects of the constriction of the normal blood vessels would not be seen, limiting the contrast between them and the abnormal blood vessels.

After over 2,000 studies were completed, we had developed the first, to our knowledge, documented and variable controlled intentional challenge to the autonomic nervous system designed specifically for use in Infrared Mammograms.  This Autonomic or “Cold’ Challenge protocol calls for the immersion of the subject’s hands in 11 degree Centigrade water for 1 minute between two sets of identically positioned sets of Infrared Mammographic images.

Several other laboratories advocate other forms of Autonomic Challenge that utilize cold air drafts or an alcohol spray directed at a woman's breasts.  We have tested these methods and found them to be vastly inferior and in many cases confusing because of the temperature imprints or artifacts they leave on the breast.  Other laboratories require “five minutes of re-equilibrium” after the "Cold" Challenge before making the second set of images.  This technique ignores the time-dependant nature of any physiologic response and the body’s natural reaction to any stress to which it is exposed.

All of these variant techniques of our Autonomic or "Cold" Challenge by their very nature produce complex and ambiguous results.  In contrast, our protocol for the Autonomic or "Cold" Challenge has increased our overall diagnostic sensitivity to approximately 97% and, more importantly, the specificity has been increased to approximately 64%.

So, beware laboratories that either do not use or misuse the Autonomic Cold Challenge.  They are not offering you the optimum results from your Infrared Mammogram.