Mean Tympanic Temperature Research Articles

Comparison of Wireless Continuous Axillary and Core Temperature Measurement after Major Surgery.

Temperature is considered one of the primary vital signs for detection of complications such as infections. Continuous wireless real-time axillary temperature monitoring is technologically feasible at the general ward, but no clinical validation studies exist. This study compared axillary temperature with a urinary bladder thermometer in 40 major abdominal postoperative patients. The primary outcome was changes in axillary temperature registrations. Secondary outcomes were mean bias between the urinary bladder and the axillary temperatures. Intermittent frontal and tympanic temperature recordings were also collected. Forty patients were monitored for 50 min with an average core temperature of 36.8 °C. The mean bias was -1.0 °C (LoA -1.9 to -0) after 5 min, and -0.8 °C (LoA -1.6 to -0.1) after 10 min when comparing the axillary temperature with the urinary bladder temperature. After 20 min, the mean bias was -0.6 °C (LoA -1.3-0.1). During upper arm abduction, the axilla temperature was reduced to -1.6 °C (LoA -2.9 to -0.3) within 1 min. Temporal skin temperature measurement had a resulted in a mean bias of -0.1 °C (LOA -1.1 to -1.0) compared with central temperature. Compared with the mean tympanic temperature, it was -0.1 °C (LoA -0.9 to -1.0) lower than the urinay bladder temperature. Axillary temperature increased with time, reaching a mean bias of 1 °C between axillary and core temperature within 5 min. Opening the axillary resulted in rapidly lower temperature recordings. These findings may aid in use and designing corrections for continuous axillary temperature monitoring.

Small Performance Effects of a Practical Mixed-Methods Cooling Strategy in Elite Team Sport Athletes

ABSTRACTPurpose: The ingestion of ice slurry and application of ice towels can elicit favorable physiological, perceptual, and performance benefits when used individually; however, the combined use and effectiveness of these practical cooling strategies have not been assessed using a sport-specific performance test, based on actual match demands, in an elite team sport context. Methods: Ten non-heat acclimated elite male rugby sevens athletes undertook two cycling heat response tests (HRT) designed to be specific to the demands of rugby sevens in hot conditions (35°C, 80% rH). In a crossover design, the HRTs were conducted with (COOLING) and without (HOT) the combined use of internal (ice slushy ingestion) and external (application of ice towels to the head, neck, and face) pre- and per-cooling strategies. Physiological, perceptual, and performance variables were monitored throughout each HRT. Results: COOLING resulted in reductions in mean tympanic temperature (−0.4 ± 0.2°C; d = 1.18); mean heart rate (−5 ± 8 bpm; d = 0.53); thermal discomfort (−0.5 ± 0.9 AU; d = 0.48); and thirst sensation (−1.0 ± 1.1 AU; d = 0.61) during the HRT. COOLING also resulted in a small increase in 4-min time trial power output (by 7 ± 33 W, ~3%; d = 0.35) compared to HOT. Discussion: A combination of internal and external pre- and per-cooling strategies can result in a range of small physiological, perceptual, and performance benefits during a rugby sevens specific HRT, compared to undertaking no cooling. Practitioners should include such strategies when performing in hot conditions.

Retrograd İntrarenal Cerrahi Esnasında Oluşan Vücut Sıcaklık Değişikliklerini Etkileyen Faktörler

Objectives : When compared to other endourologic operations, irrigation fluid with lower flow rate and volume is used during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). In our study, body temperature changes occurring due to irrigation fluid and factors affecting these were assessed. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty-eight patients were prospectively included in the study. During operations, a standart izotonic irrigation fluid kept in the operating room at 21 °C was used. Active heating was not applied to any patient. Body temperature of patients was measured peripherally before anesthesia induction and before recovery. Relationship of body temperature differences with patient characteristics, operation time, irrigation fluid volüme and stone size was evaluated. Results : Mean tympanic body temperature was 36,3±0,35°C at the start of operation and 35,8±0,5°C at the end. Post-operative fall in body temperature (0,67±0,47°C) was recorded in 102 patients (79.7%). When body tempertaure values before and after the operation were compared, a significant reduction was found (p<0,0001). No statistically significant correlation was obtained between this reduction and patient and operative data. Conclusion : Body temperature falls after RIRC however, no relation was found between temperature change and patient and operative data other than operating room temperature.

Head cooling during sleep improves sleep quality in the luteal phase in female university students: A randomized crossover-controlled pilot study.

Although selective head-cooling has been reported to decrease scalp and tympanic temperature and improve sleep quality, whether head-cooling during sleep can improve sleep quality in women during the luteal phase has not been elucidated. This randomized, controlled crossover open trial aimed to investigate the effect of head cooling during sleep on sleep quality in women during the luteal phase. Female university students aged 19–25 years with increased daytime sleepiness during the luteal phase were recruited by poster advertisement at their university from May to June 2016 and from May to June 2017. Fourteen women aged 19–22 years participated in this study. The temperature-controllable cooling sheet containing tubes filled with circulating water was used for head-cooling, and the head-cooling and the controlled temperature were set at 25°C and 35°C, respectively. Electroencephalogram data were obtained using a single-channel portable electroencephalogram device. The difference in sleep-related variables and tympanic temperature between head-cooling and control were analyzed using a linear mixed model. The proportion of arousal was lower with head cooling than with the control. In contrast, the proportion of non-REM3 and the delta power were higher with head cooling than with the control. The proportion of non-REM2 and non-REM3 among sleep EEG stages were positively and negatively correlated with the mean tympanic temperature during sleep, respectively. However, arousal and REM were not correlated with tympanic temperature. We considered the reduction of arousal time by head-cooling might be related to scalp temperature rather than tympanic temperature. Further, our results suggested that head-cooling also improved subjective sleep comfort. In conclusion, head-cooling during sleep could improve sleep quality in young women during the luteal phase.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Thermometry at 3 Tesla: Importance of Calibration Measurements.

To demonstrate the importance of calibration measurements in 3 Tesla proton magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy (1H-MRS) thermometry for human brain temperature estimation for routine clinical applications. In vitro proton MR spectroscopy to obtain calibration constants of the water-chemical shift was conducted at 3 Tesla with a temperature-controlled phantom, containing a pH-buffered aqueous solution of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), methylene protons of Cr (Cr2), dimethyl silapentane sulfonic acid (DSS), and sodium formate (NaFor). Estimations of absolute human brain temperature were performed utilizing the correlation of temperature to the water-chemical shift for the resonances of NAA, Cr, and Cr2. Data for calibration of the metabolites' chemical shift differences and in vivo temperature estimations were acquired with single-voxel point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) sequences (repetition time/echo time = 2000/30 ms; voxel size 2 × 2 × 2 cm3). Spectroscopy data were quantified in the time-domain, and a Pearson correlation analysis was performed to estimate the correlation between the chemical shift of metabolites and measured temperatures. The correlation coefficients (r) of our calibration measurements were NAA 0.9975 (±0.0609), Cr -0.9979 (±0.0621), Cr2 - 0.9973 (±0.0577), DSS -0.9976 (±0.0615), and NaFor -0.8132 (±2.348). The mean calculated brain temperature was 37.78 ± 1.447°C, and the mean tympanic temperature was 36.83 ± 0.2456°C. Calculated temperatures derived from Cr and Cr2 provided significant (p = 0.0241 and p = 0.0210, respectively) correlations with measured temperatures (r = 0.4108 and r = -0.4194, respectively). Calibration measurements are vital for 1H-MRS thermometry. Small numeric differences in measured signal and data preprocessing without any calibration measurements reduce accuracy of temperature calculations, which indicates that calculated temperatures should be interpreted with caution. Application of this method for clinical purposes warrants further investigation and a more practical approach.

Does central tympanic membrane perforation affect infrared tympanic thermometer measurements in adults?

ObjectiveInfrared Tympanic Thermometer (ITT) is one of the most useful instruments for accurately measuring temperature. The effects of ear pathologies on ITT measurement remain unclear. The purpose of this study is to determine if tympanic membrane perforation (TMP) affects ITT measurements in adult patients. Material and methodsA total of 90 adult patients with monaural central TMP were enrolled in this study. Patients were categorized into three subgroups according to perforation size (1–3 mm, 4–7 mm, and 8–10 mm). The tympanic temperatures of the affected and unaffected sites, and subgroups were compared with each other. ResultsThis study contained 54 (60%) males and 36 (40%) females ranging from 20 to 58 years of age (mean age: 30.74 ± 9.61 years). The mean tympanic temperature of the side affected with TMP was 36.34oC ± 0.61oC. The mean tympanic temperature of the unaffected side with healthy and intact tympanic membrane was 36.33oC ± 0.6oC. The Pearson correlation score for the tympanic temperatures and the size of TMP was 0.22 which was not significant (r=–0.12). ConclusionTMP and perforation size do not affect ITT measurements in adult patients.

Axillary and Tympanic Temperature Measurement in Children and Normal Values for Ages.

The aim of the study was define the normal values of tympanic and axillary body temperature in healthy children. This observational cross-sectional study was performed in healthy children aged 0 to 17 years who visited the ambulatory general pediatric of Istanbul Medical Faculty. Of 1364 children, 651 (47.7%) were girls and 713 were boys, the mean (SD, range) age was 72.5 (53.6, 1-204) months. The mean (SD) axillary body temperature was 36.04°C (0.46°C; minimum, 35.0°C; maximum, 37.6°C). The 95th and 99th percentiles were 36.8°C and 37.0°C, respectively. The mean (SD) tympanic body temperature was 36.91°C (0.46°C; minimum, 35.15°C; maximum, 37.9°C). The 95th and 99th percentiles were 37.6°C and 37.8°C, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between sexes for only tympanic body temperatures. Both axillary and tympanic body temperatures were statistically higher in 0 to 2 months compared with other age groups. For this age group, the 99th percentile was 37.5°C for axillary and 37.85°C for tympanic temperature. Axillary and tympanic body temperatures should be considered as fever when they are more than 37.0°C and 37.8°C, respectively. For 0 to 2 months, fever is 37.5°C and 37.85°C in axillary and tympanic temperatures, respectively.

Effect of wearing an N95 filtering facepiece respirator on superomedial orbital infrared indirect brain temperature measurements.

To determine any effect of wearing a filtering facepiece respirator on brain temperature. Subjects (n=18) wore a filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) for 1h at rest while undergoing infrared thermography measurements of the superomedial periobital region of the eye, a non-invasive indirect method of brain temperature measurements we termed the superomedial orbital infrared indirect brain temperature (SOIIBT) measurement. Temperature of the facial skin covered by the FFR, infrared temperature measurements of the tympanic membrane and superficial temporal artery region were concurrently measured, and subjective impressions of thermal comfort obtained simultaneously. The temperature of the skin under the FFR and subjective impressions of thermal discomfort both increased significantly. The mean tympanic membrane temperature did not increase, and the superficial temporal artery region temperature decreased significantly. The SOIIBT values did not change significantly, but subjects who switched from nasal to oronasal breathing during the study (n=5) experienced a slight increase in the SOIIBT measurements. Wearing a FFR for 1h at rest does not have a significant effect on brain temperatures, as evaluated by the SOIIBT measurements, but a change in the route of breathing may impact these measurements. These findings suggest that subjective impressions of thermal discomfort from wearing a FFR under the study conditions are more likely the result of local dermal sensations rather than brain warming.

A comparative study of rectal tympanic and axillary thermometry in febrile children under 5 years of age in Nigeria

Background: Fever alone accounts for over 25% of paediatric emergency room consultations. Accurate determination of temperature is critical for the management of sick children by both parents and health care-providers.Aims and Objectives: To compare simultaneous measurements of temperature measured by the rectal, axillary, and tympanic routes in children under 5 admitted to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.Methods: 400 children under 5 years of age with a rectal temperature of ≧38·0°C were recruited consecutively into the study. Rectal and axillary temperatures were measured using digital thermometers. Tympanic measurements were undertaken with an infrared tympanic thermometer. All measurements were made simultaneously and compared.Results: Mean (SD) rectal temperature was 38·8 (0·7)°C, and mean (SD) tympanic and axillary temperatures were 38·7 (0·7)°C and 38·1 (0·7)°C, respectively. There was no significant difference between rectal and tympanic temperatures (P = 0·14), and a strong correlation was identified between values from these two sites (r = 0·91). At 91·5%, the sensitivity of tympanic thermometry in determining fever was higher than that of axillary measurements (54·0%). A mathematical relationship was demonstrated between rectal/tympanic temperatures and between rectal/axillary temperatures as follows:Rectal temperature (°C) = 6·03+0·85 * Mean tympanic temperature (°C)Rectal temperature (°C) = 11·7+0·71 * Axillary temperature (°C)Conclusion: In febrile children, tympanic temperature better reflects rectal temperature than does axillary temperature; tympanic temperature should therefore be measured when there are no contra-indications for its use.

Temperature changes among organophosphate poisoned patients, Tehran- Iran

BackgroundAcute poisoning with organophosphorus compounds (OPs) is a major global clinical problem in the developing countries. There have been many animal studies and few human surveys on the effects of organophosphorus pesticide (OP) poisoning on thermoregulation. The aim of this prospective study was to document the pattern of tympanic temperature changes among OP poisoned patients throughout the length of their hospital stay.Methods60 patients with diagnose of organophosphate poisoning were included in this study. Questioner was filled out by trained nurses including demographic, clinical and paraclinical data. Tympanic temperature and Pulse rate data of the cases were collected on five- occasions after admission.ResultsThere were 41 (68.3%) male and 19 (31.7%) female, with a mean age of 34.4 ±19.4 years (range 13–89 years). Forty five patients had intentional poisoning for suicidal attempt. At the time of entry, the mean tympanic temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) of the OP poisoned patients were respectively 37.1+/−0.6°C (36.0- 39.5), 91+/−18 (55–145), 18+/−5.6 (8–44), 116+/−20 mm Hg (70–170) and 75+/−11.6 mm Hg (40–110). 41.7% of the cases had serum butyryl cholinesterase activities (BChE) ≥ 50% normal (≥1600 mU/ml). Our patients had normal temperature at the time entry (mean = 37.1). Tympanic temperature decreasing below 36°C was not detected among the patients during the study period. A rise in mean tympanic temperature was found after atropine administration.ConclusionOur study showed hypothermia was not considerable factor among organophosphate poisoned patients, although more studies with similar situations in tropical countries are needed.

A comparison of tympanic and rectal temperatures in term NIGERIAN neonates

BackgroundTympanic thermometry has come as a suitable alternative to traditional thermometry because of its safety and ease of use. However, it is still yet to gain wide acceptance in African settings due to conflicting results on its accuracy, thus rectal thermometry remains the gold standard in the newborn. The aim of this study was to compare tympanic and rectal temperatures in term Nigerian neonates.MethodsRectal and tympanic temperatures were measured simultaneously in 300 consecutive term neonates between the ages of 37 and 42 weeks gestation using mercury-in-glass and the Infrared tympanic thermometers respectively. Paired t test, Pearson correlation coefficient and the Bland-Altman plot were used to compute data. Using rectal thermometry as gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of tympanic thermometry at various rectal temperature cut-offs were determined. Receiver Operating Curves (ROC) were constructed and the Areas Under the Curves (AUC) were compared.ResultsThe mean rectal temperature (37.34 ± 0.55°C) was significantly higher than the mean tympanic temperature (37.25 ± 0.56°C) (p < 0.001) with a mean difference of 0.09 °C ± 0.24 °C (95% CI: 0.06, 0.12). There was a strong positive correlation between the two measurements (r = 0.9; p < 0.001). Tympanic thermometry showed sensitivities ranging from 65% to 86% and specificities of 95% to 99% at rectal temperature cut-offs of 37.5°C to 38°C. The positive and negative predictive values of the tympanic temperatures at the various temperature cut-offs ranged from 82% to 93% and 80% to 98% respectively. Accuracy was noted to increase with higher temperatures as shown by the Receiver Operating Curves with the highest accuracy at the temperature cut-off of 38°C and AUC of 0.91.ConclusionsThe sensitivity of tympanic thermometry was relatively low in detecting rectal temperatures despite the good correlation and agreement between them. The specificities and predictive values of tympanic temperatures in detecting rectal temperatures were high and accuracy increased with higher temperatures. Though using the tympanic route for measuring temperature in the newborn is relatively safe and non-invasive, its low sensitivity limits its use. Further studies would be required to further assess the accuracy of tympanic temperature measurements in the newborn.

A review of the pre-ROSC intranasal cooling effectiveness study

With the publication of the 2010 European Resuscitation Council Guidelines, therapeutic hypothermia has been recommended as part of the treatment algorhythm for the management of adult cardiac arrest. As ambulance services around the world struggle to decide on the best method of cooling a patient at the time of the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), the ground-breaking ‘PRINCE’ study has been published describing the novel approach of ‘trans-nasal’ evaporative cooling during the peri-arrest period. This study describes a significant difference found on arrival at hospital between the mean tympanic temperatures of the two groups (cooled vs control) following a period of cooling (34.2 °C [SD 1.5 °C] vs 35.5 °C [SD 0.9 °C], P&lt;0.001). In addition, when looking at survival to discharge following out-of-hospital (OOH) cardiac arrest, there was a statistically significant difference in a subgroup of patients where CPR was commenced within 10 minutes of cardiac arrest (56.5% of trans-nasally cooled patients survived to discharge compared with 29.4% of control patients (P=0.04, relative risk =1.9)). This article examines the PRINCE study and considers the implication of this method of inducing therapeutic hypothermia in the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patient within the UK.

Fever detection in under 5 children in a tertiary health facility using the infrared tympanic thermometer in the oral mode

Monitoring of body temperature is an important clinical procedure in the care of sick children, especially the under-5 children, as many disease conditions present with fever. The oral mercury-in-glass thermometer which has relatively good accuracy cannot be used in children less than 5 years because it requires their cooperation. This study was aimed at using the infrared tympanic thermometer (IRTT) in oral mode to measure temperature in febrile and afebrile children less than 5 years. Rectal and tympanic temperatures were measured consecutively in 400 febrile and 400 afebrile under-5 children matched for age, using the mercury-in-glass thermometer and the IRTT in oral mode respectively. In the febrile children, the mean tympanic temperature was 38.6 ± 0.9°C, while the mean rectal temperature was 39.0 ± 0.8°C. In the afebrile group, the mean tympanic temperature was 37.0 ± 0.4°C, while the mean rectal temperature was 37.4 ± 0.3°C. The mean difference between rectal and tympanic temperatures in both groups was statistically significant. There was good correlation between the two temperatures. The tympanic thermometer used in the oral mode had a sensitivity of 87.3% and a specificity of 96.5%. The IRTT (oral mode) may not be reliable in estimating 'core' body temperature in children under the age of five years, but with a fairly good sensitivity and specificity, as well as its other advantages such as short duration of measurement, convenience and safety, it is a useful instrument for screening children with fever in a busy setup.

Effects of diet type and metabolizable energy intake on tympanic temperature of steers fed during summer and winter seasons

A summer study and a winter study were conducted using an incomplete factorial structure in a complete randomized design. Within season, the factors studied were 1) type of diet, which included 2 levels of ME, classified as either concentrate (3.04 Mcal of ME/kg) or roughage (2.63 Mcal of ME/kg) diets, and 2) daily ME intakes (MEI) of 11, 18, and 25 Mcal of ME/d for the roughage diets and 18, 25, and 32 Mcal of ME/d for the concentrate diets. In Exp. 1 (summer study), 30 steers (5 steers/treatment combination) were used to collect tympanic temperatures (TT). In Exp. 2 (winter study), 24 steers (4 steers/treatment combination) were used to collect TT. Mean TT was 0.3°C greater for summer than winter (38.9 vs. 38.6°C, respectively; P < 0.05). Steers fed diets based on concentrate tended to display greater TT than steers fed diets based on roughage. Season × diet × hour interactions were found for TT (P = 0.01). In the winter, greater TT (P < 0.05) were found from 0900 to 1400 h when an equal amount of MEI was derived from a concentrate-based vs. roughage-based diet. In cattle fed roughage-based diets during the summer, TT = 38.63 + 0.0114•MEI, whereas for cattle fed concentrate-based diets, TT = 38.69 + 0.0114•MEI. During the winter, for cattle fed a roughage-based diet, TT = 37.65 + 0.0856•MEI - 0.0018•MEI(2), whereas for cattle fed a concentrate-based diet, TT = 35.37 + 0.2635•MEI - 0.0051•MEI(2). In summary, results demonstrate that increases in the energy of the diet resulted in increases in TT. However, the response was dependent on season of the year, with a linear response in TT for summer and a quadratic response during winter.

Estudio prospectivo de temperatura timpánica en pacientes sometidos a trasplante hemopoyético

Objective During haemopoietic transplant, the patient may be affected by body temperature variations which may be associated with potential or real complications. In this clinical context and due unavoidable changes in values, we established as objectives; to check whether the reference values stated in the literature are adapted to our clinical reality, and to check the possible influence of mucositis in the determination of the tympanic temperature. Method A prospective descriptive study was performed on 776 cases in the Haemopoietic Transplant Unit of the Hospital Morales Meseguer, of Murcia, from the 13 March to the 15 September of 2002, in patients undergoing stem cells transplant. A 95% confidence level has been applied to the Chi 2 test in the statistical analysis. Results The mean tympanic temperature obtained in the right ear was 37.4 °C, whereas the axillary mean was 36.54 °C. Grade II mucositis was found to be the main associated variable. Conclusions Some authors suggest that the tympanic temperature, despite the speed, reliability and lack of impact on the environment, is subject to many uncertainties that can lead to diagnostic errors and subsequent clinical decision. In our study, the reference values have differed from those previously obtained due to, among other things, them being values associated to healthy people, whereas in our case, the determinations were made in convalescents with mucositis. Therefore, given that the clinical condition affects the reliability of the tympanic readings, this method is not applicable in our clinical care.

Assessment of Housing Systems for Feedlot Cattle During Summer

Tympanic temperature and respiratory dynamics of 240 yearling steers were used to assess 3 housing systems in South Dakota during summer (69 d). The housing systems were full confinement (CONF), open lot (OPN), and partial confinement (PTL). Steers were randomly allocated in equal numbers to each system (1 pen/system). Ambient temperature, black globe temperature (BG), solar radiation, wind speed, wind direction, and relative humidity were recorded at 30-min intervals from a weather station. A modified temperature-humidity index {THIMOD = (0.8 × BG) + [(relative humidity/100) × (BG − 14.4)] + 46.4} was used to assess thermal load. Panting score (0 = normal to 4 = open-mouth panting, tongue out, and excessive drooling) of each animal was recorded at 0600, 1200, and 1600 h. Mean panting score (MPS) of steers in OPN (0.563) was greater than MPS of PTL (0.383;P = 0.06) and CONF (0.278;P = 0.003) steers. There were no MPS differences (P > 0.05) between CONF and PTL. During extreme events (THIMOD ≥84), the MPS of OPN (1.30) was greater (P 1.2 indicates an extreme heat load. Tympanic temperature was recorded from 10 animals/treatment during 3 heat waves of 8, 8, and 6 d duration. When THIMOD ≥84, the mean tympanic temperature for OPN (40.55°C) was greater (P < 0.05) than those of PTL (40.04°C) and CONF (40.02°C). Under the climatic conditions encountered, it is evident that the housing systems that offered shade (CONF and PTL) reduced the effects of extreme heat load on feedlot cattle.

Normative study of tympanic infrared thermometry: a non-invasive index of asymmetric cerebral activity

Human and primate studies have demonstrated that performance of tasks that induce asymmetrical physiological activation of the cerebral hemispheres leads to a reduction of tympanic temperature (TT) ipsilateral to the most active hemisphere. It is possible that diseases that interfere in an asymmetrical fashion with the degree of cerebral activity cause similar TT changes. There are not, however, normative studies of the acceptable interaural difference in TT in normal subjects at rest. This study was done to establish normative values for interaural TT values measured by means of infrared tympanic thermometry in resting normal subjects not engaged in any specific task. TT values were measured in 47 normal volunteers (20 men and 27 women, aged 39.38+/-12.57 years old) at rest; mean interaural differences of TT were calculated. Mean right ear TT was 36.85+/-0.50 degrees C and mean left ear TT was 36.74+/-0.57 degrees C; these values are in agreement with those already reported in the literature. Mean interaural TT difference was 0.25 degrees C (SD 0.21 degrees C). These findings indicate that maximal normal values for interaural TT differences, with confidence levels of 99% and 95%, are, respectively, 0.88 and 0.67 degrees C. The value of interaural differences of TT as a marker of asymmetrical hemispheric activity in neurological patients will have to be established by additional studies.

RESTING HEART RATE AND TYMPANIC TEMPERATURE IN OPERANT CONDITIONED WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLAS (GORILLA GORILLA GORILLA)

The conscious, resting heart rate and body temperature of healthy western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) is not reported in the literature. To obtain this information, two clinically healthy adult male western lowland gorillas in a training program were conditioned to allow auscultation and obtain tympanic temperatures. The mean heart rate was 73.8 +/- 8.96 beats per minute (n = 176), and it was lower than mean heart rate reported in studies on anesthetized gorillas. The mean tympanic temperature was 35.5 +/- 0.7 degrees C (95.9 +/- 1.23 degrees F) (n = 209). The right tympanic temperature (rtt) and left tympanic temperature (ltt) were recorded separately for one gorilla. A small but statistically significant difference was present between the mean rtt of 35.8 +/- 0.7 degrees C (96.5 +/- 1.2 degrees F) (n = 137) and the mean ltt of 35.7 +/- 0.8 degrees C (96.2 +/- 1.3 degrees F) (n = 121).

Intrapartum Epidural Analgesia and Maternal Temperature Regulation

To examine maternal temperature changes after epidural analgesia. A prospective cohort of nulliparas at term was monitored with hourly maternal tympanic temperatures after epidural analgesia (n=99). Temperature response after epidural analgesia was examined in the group as a whole. Subsequently, mean maternal temperature curves were compared between women who remained afebrile throughout labor (n=77) and women who developed intrapartum fever with body temperature greater than 100.4 degrees F (n=22). Baseline maternal characteristics were assessed. Women who later developed intrapartum fever had a higher mean temperature within 1 hour after epidural analgesia. In contrast, women who remained afebrile had no increase in core temperature. During the first 4 hours after epidural analgesia initiation, women who later develop intrapartum fever have an increase in mean tympanic temperature of 0.33 degrees F per hour. Epidural analgesia is not associated with increased temperature in the majority of women. Hyperthermia is an abnormal response confined to a minority subset, which occurs immediately after exposure. Our findings do not support a universal perturbation of maternal thermoregulation after epidural analgesia. II.

O.312 Resorption of biodegradable plates – An in vivo study

Study objective: To determine the agreement between rectal temperature and infrared tympanic membrane temperatures in marathon runners presenting to a field hospital at the finish line. Methods: The subjects of this prospective, blinded, controlled study were runners 18 years or older who were triaged to the acute care medical area at the finish line for suspected hypothermia, hyperthermia, dehydration, or altered mental status. Rectal and tympanic temperatures were measured simultaneously in all subjects for whom rectal temperature measurement had been deemed necessary and recorded on separate data cards. Results: Of the 239 runners treated in the acute care medical area, 37 required rectal temperature measurement and were enrolled in the study. The mean rectal temperature was 38.45º±1.20º C (range, 35.9º to 41.5º C). The mean tympanic membrane temperature was 37.81º±.95º C (range, 36.3º to 40.4º C). Pearson's correlation coefficient revealed a moderate correlation (r=.6902, P=.00023). The mean temperature difference between the two thermometers, mean rectal minus mean tympanic membrane, was .64º C (95% confidence interval, .35º to .93º C). Sixty-two percent of the tympanic membrane readings were within 1º C of their rectal counterparts. Agreement ranged from 1.16º (+2 SD) to -2.95º (-2 SD). The 95% confidence interval was 1.67º to -2.95º C. Conclusion: We were able to demonstrate only a moderate correlation between the two thermometer readings, with a wide spread between the limits of agreement. This spread could be clinically significant and therefore limits the usefulness of tympanic temperature in the marathon race setting. Because of the potentially large and clinically significant differences in rectal and tympanic temperatures and the limitations inherent in our study, we cannot endorse the use of tympanic temperature in the setting of a marathon event. [Roth RN, Verdile VP, Grollman LJ, Stone DA: Agreement between rectal and tympanic membrane temperatures in marathon runners. Ann Emerg Med October 1996;28:414-417.]