Continuous postoperative monitoring of cortical blood flow and intracranial pressure.

A new technique to continuously monitor cortical blood flow and intracranial pressure in postoperative patients is described. A thermal diffusion flow probe with a pressure port is left in contact with the cortex at craniotomy. Postoperative intracranial pressure--cortical blood flow can be monitored and acute changes or trends are readily detected. The thermal flow probe has been previously compared with radioactive xenon (133Xe) clearance and hydrogen clearance methods of measuring cortical blood flow in animals. The technique gives a real-time quantitative indication of flow. Changes in cortical blood flow can be observed within a few seconds and the effects of treatment can be readily observed. Changes in flow due to vasospasm have been demonstrated in subarachnoid hemorrhage. It is anticipated that information learned from this method will aid in the management of patients with head trauma, tumors, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.