Intracranial temperature

Abstract

Introduction: Accurate knowledge of cerebral temperature is assuming increasing importance, because its manipulation is employed more frequently for cerebral protection.

Purpose: This prospective clinical study was performed to examine how well intraventricular temperature reflects global cerebral temperature.

Methods: The intraventricular temperature was monitored in 61 patients who were admitted to the neurointensive care unit for various intracranial pathological entities. A temperature probe coupled to an intraventricular pressure monitor was inserted in the lateral ventricle. At the conclusion of the monitoring process, a second intraventricular temperature probe was inserted in the ipsilateral ventricle and the previous one was carefully and gradually removed. During that removal, the intraparenchymal temperature was monitored for 90 minutes at 1-cm intervals throughout the brain parenchyma.

Results: The mean intraventricular temperature was 37.84±1.03°C, whereas the mean systemic (rectal) temperature was 37.65±0.68°C. At 1 cm outward distance from the lateral ventricle, the mean intraparenchymal temperature was 38.21±0.32°C, 38.39±0.33°C at 2 cm, 38.27± 0.31°C at 3 cm, 38.26±0.29°C at 4 cm, and, finally, 37.9±0.50°C at 5 cm. Statistical analysis of the recordings showed no statistically significant differences between the intraventricular and intraparenchymal temperatures and intraventricular and rectal temperatures. No statistically significant correlation was established between the intraventricular temperature and parameters, such as the patient’s age, sex, and admitting diagnosis.

Conclusion: Cerebral temperature was relatively stable through the brain parenchyma in this study. Because intraventricular temperature accurately reflects cerebral temperature, this is a reasonable monitoring site for cerebral temperature analysis.