Intracranial temperature during passive heat exposure in humans.

Intracranial and skin temperature, evaporative response and rating of thermal comfort/discomfort were monitored during passive therapeutic hyperthermia. Intracranial temperature at the end of normal therapeutic sessions was significantly lower when face-fanning had been performed. Although face-fanned subjects remained in the sweating box twice as long as patients, their intracranial temperature was not statistically different from that of patients. Thermal injury to the human brain during passive therapeutic hyperthermia may therefore be efficaciously retarded by face-fanning.