A thermal clearance probe for continuous monitoring of cerebral blood flow.

Cortical thermal clearance provides a practical means of continuous assessment of cerebral blood flow. A probe which can be used to monitor cerebral cortical thermal clearance is described. It has proved a reliable method of predicting oligaemia, showing good correlation between measured thermal clearance and the onset of clinical signs of ischaemia. The limitations are its size, invasiveness, small sample volume and difficulty with quantification. It is a useful additional tool in the management of patients suffering from acute neurosurgical disorders.