Comparison of rectal and tympanic thermometry during exercise. (Letters to the Editor).

To the Editor: Newsham et al (1) effectively demonstrated significant rectal temperature lag during controlled exertional hyperthermia, particularly during the recovery phase. As a result, they rightfully questioned the position of the American College of Sports Medicine regarding sole reliance on rectal temperature measurements during the evaluation and treatment of patients with heat-related injuries. I think that the authors were referring to rectal temperatures in fatal cases when they wrote, "Heatstroke victims have had temperatures in the range of 40 to 47[degrees]C." The critical temperature of 42.2[degrees]C was established as the point of cellular death, and there seems to be a definite time-temperature relationship between heat exposure and heatstroke that eluded investigators in the past. (2)

Charles J. Ash, MD, FACS 

Southwest Missouri State University

Springfield, MO

References

(1.) Newsham KR, Saunders JE, Nordin ES. Comparison of rectal and tympanic thermometry during exercise. South Med J 2002;95:804-810.

(2.) Ash CJ, Kashmeery AMS. Management of heat-stroke, in Webb AR, Shapiro MJ, Singer M, Suter P (eds): Oxford Textbook of Critical Care. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1999, pp 808-811.