Continuous Monitoring of Cortical Temperature in Neurosurgical Intensive Care

Abstract

To evaluate cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygen metabolism, cortical temperature and oxygen saturation of jugular vein blood (S_jO₂) were measured in sixty-seven patients admitted to our hospital in coma (Glasgow coma scale of less than 8) after a severe head injury or cerebrovascular disease. And transcranial Doppler, laser Doppler or single photon emission CT were performed to compare with the cortical temperature and S_jO₂ findings. Patients with a lower cortical temperature than rectal temperature (Group B) had a poor outcome, whereas patients with a higher cortical temperature than rectal temperature (Group A) had a good outcome. Normal cerebral blood flow or cerebral oxygen metabolism levels were recorded in Group A, whereas in Group B, the levels of S_jO₂ and other parameters recorded that the cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygen metabolism were very low. These findings suggest that cortical temperature depends on the levels of cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygen metabolism. Thus, cortical temperature is a good indicator for evaluating cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygen metabolism.