Monitoring of rectal, epidural, and intraventricular temperature in neurosurgical patients.

Abstract

We will report our accumulated experience in monitoring of brain temperatures in neurosurgical patients. The intraventricular temperature was monitored with a thermocouple designed for the purpose. This thermocouple was introduced through a plastic catheter, which was also used for monitoring intracranial pressure. The rectal and epidural temperature was simultaneously measured, with commercially available thermocouples. Human brain temperature is higher than the central core temperature, and there is also a temperature gradient within the brain, with the central parts being warmer than the surface. The relationship between rectal, epidural and intraventricular temperatures is maintained during anaesthesia. We have also shown that it is possible to lower the temperature of the human brain.