The effects of hyperthermia on the spinal cord.

This study was conducted to obtain information about the critical temperature of the spinal cord in hyperthermia produced by radiofrequency waves applied to the spine. The first component of the spinal cord evoked potential was analyzed as an indicator of spinal cord function. The spinal cords were heated by radiofrequency waves to a maximum of 47 degrees C momentarily or for 30 minutes. The temperatures were measured with a thermosensor in the epidural space. In momentary heating, the reductions in amplitude were almost parallel with the increases in temperature. In maintained heating for 30 minutes, at 44 degrees C and below, the amplitudes decreased by one-quarter to three-quarters of the control value in the first 5 minutes and recovered to over three-quarters of the control value in 30 minutes. The amplitudes returned to almost the control value after restoration of normal spinal cord temperatures. At 45 degrees C and above, however, the amplitudes were prominently reduced or disappeared in the first 5 minutes and remained depressed during the remainder of the heating. On normalizing the temperature, the amplitudes did not return to the control value. These results suggest that 44 degrees C in the epidural space is the highest tolerable temperature for normal spinal cord function.