Tympanic membrane temperature as a measure of core temperature

Abstract

Background-Ear thermometers are becoming popular as a method for measuring deep body (core) temperature. Aim-To determine the variability of a single user's tympanic membrane (ear) temperature measurements. Subjects-Forty two, afebrile, healthy children, and 20 febrile children with acute burns. Results-In afebrile children measurements made in both ears (and within just a few minutes of each other) diVered by as much as 0.6°C. Operator measurement error, s w of three consecutive measurements, in the same ear, was 0.13°C. In the group of febrile, burned children, core temperature was measured hourly at a number of sites (ear, rectum, axilla, bladder). A peak in core temperature occurred approximately 10-12 hours after the burn. Measurement error was calculated in 14 febrile, burned children with a peak temperature in excess of 38°C. For the left ear, measurement error was 0.19°C and for the right ear, 0.11°C. In the febrile children agreement between the ears was poor. The limits of agreement were 0.4°C to −0.8°C. It was not possible to predict the occasions when the temperature diVerences between the ears would be large or small. Conclusions-The measurement error of one recording from the next is probably acceptable at about 0.1 to 0.2°C. To limit the variations in temperature of one ear to the other, measurements should be restricted to one of the ears whenever possible and the same ear used throughout the temperature monitoring period. Nurses and parents should take more than one temperature reading from the same ear whenever possible. (Arch Dis Child 1999;80:262-266)

Effects of Carvacrol and Volatile Fraction of Winter Savory (Satureja montana L.) on Body Temperature in Humans Who Experience Cold Sensitivity

“…1a). Tympanic temperature reflects CBT (Childs et al, 1999). Masamoto et al (2009) reported that TRPA1 agonists, such as allylisothiocyanate and cinnamaldehyde, enhanced thermogenesis.…”

A comparison of axillary and tympanic membrane to rectal temperatures in children

“…25 Other studies reported that the temperature of the tympanic membrane had a 67-76% sensitivity for detecting fever in children aged 6 months -6 years and there was no significant difference between the results of temperature measurements between the right and left ear (0.019 -0.2˚C). 3,[28][29][30] To minimize measurement errors, axillary skin must be dry. The precision of axillary temperature measurement for detecting fever is affected by peripheral vasoconstriction at the initial onset of fever, sweating, and evaporation resulting in lower skin temperature compared to the actual body temperature.…”

Temperature measurement in paediatrics

“…In contrast with other sites of temperature measurement, the TM's blood supply is very similar in temperature and location to the blood bathing the hypothalamus, the site of the body's thermoregulatory centre. It is, therefore, an ideal location for core temperature estimation (25,26). Crying, otitis media or earwax have not been shown to change tympanic readings significantly.…”

“…Because much has been written both in support of (15,16,25,26) and against (27)(28)(29)(30)) the use of infrared tympanic thermometers in clinical practice, many physicians remain confused about measurement reliability. Results of a recent questionnaire completed by randomly selected members of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians demonstrated that 78% of respondents had used infrared thermometers at least once; 65% of paediatricians and 64% of family practitioners were current users (31).…”