1. a method to produce a reconstructed refractive index spatial map comprising the following steps: a. utilizing light in the near-infrared portion of the spectrum as a source of illumination; b. generating observed values representing photon flux by delivering said light in the near-infrared portion of the spectrum to the surface of the tissue to be examined by at least two bundles of source optical fibers; c. detecting scattered photons from said light in the near-infrared portion of the spectrum by at least two bundles of detector optical fibers, said at least two bundles of detector optical fibers being in functional communication with a computer; d. processing the detected scattered photon data received by said computer to generate expected parametric values related to refractive index by means of an algorithm programmed into said computer; e. iteratively comparing said observed and said calculated values related to refractive index until differences between values are non-significant; f. producing an image of the reconstructed refractive image spatial map; and g. evaluating the said spatial map to determine if abnormalities are apparent in the mapped tissue.