Abstract
In patients with suprasellar tumors, the tumor itself and also its surgical resection may produce hypothalamic dysfunction including thermoregulatory disturbances. We quantitatively evaluated skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA) using microneurography in eight patients with hypothalamic dysfunction following resection. SSNA, skin blood flow by laser Doppler, sweating, blood pressure, and pulse rate were monitored during changes of core (tympanic) temperature, in the patients and seven healthy controls. Core temperature was decreased by 0.3°C and increased by 0.5°C relative to baseline using a cooling/heating blanket. Argumentation of SSNA by cooling did not differ between patients and controls. An increase of SSNA upon heating was absent in patients but present in controls. Skin blood flow during heating increased significantly in controls but not in patients. Our results indicated that the patients had impaired heat loss during body temperature elevation. Microneurography is a sensitive measure of hypothalamic autonomic function.
Published Version
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