Does brain temperature correlate with intracranial pressure?
OBJECTIVE: A positive correlation between brain temperature and intracranial pressure (ICP) has been proposed for patients under intensive care conditions. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were recorded at 5-minute intervals in patients under ICP monitoring conditions. Brain temperature: combined ICP/temperature probe (Raumedic), core temperature: indwelling urinary catheter with temperature probe (Rüsch). The correlation between brain temperature and ICP was assessed by computing an estimated mean correlation coefficient (re) and by a time series analysis. PATIENTS: Forty consecutive neurosurgical patients receiving intensive care therapy for trauma, cerebrovascular malformation, and spontaneous hemorrhage were studied. A total of 48,892 measurements (9778 h) were analyzed. No additional interventions were performed. RESULTS: The median ICP was 14 mm Hg (range: -13 to 167). The brain temperature (median 38 degrees C; range 23.2 to 42.1) was 0.3 degrees C (range: -3.6 to 2.6) higher than the c
