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Updated: May 17, 2026
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Non-invasive Optical Measurement of Cerebral Metabolism and Hemodynamics in Infants
Published on: March 14, 2013
Regional neonatal brain absolute thermometry by 1H MRS
Alan Bainbridge1, Giles S Kendall, Enrico De Vita
1Medical Physics and Bioengineering, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
NMR in Biomedicine
|October 18, 2012
Summary
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy thermometry (MRSt) is a feasible method for measuring infant brain temperature. Preprocessing and quality assurance significantly improved the accuracy of MRSt in white matter, correlating well with rectal temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Therapeutic hypothermia is a standard treatment for neonatal encephalopathy.
- Accurate brain temperature monitoring is crucial during hypothermia treatment.
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy thermometry (MRSt) offers a non-invasive method for regional brain temperature measurement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical feasibility of MRSt in neonates.
- To correlate MRSt-derived temperatures in white matter (WM) and thalamus (Thal) with rectal temperature (Trectal).
- To assess the impact of data preprocessing and quality assurance on MRSt reliability.
Main Methods:
- MRSt was performed on 89 neonates (56 term, 33 preterm).
- Temperature measurements were obtained from thalamus and white matter voxels.
- Data underwent phase/frequency correction and motion artifact exclusion (preprocessing + QA).
- MRSt temperatures were compared with simultaneously measured rectal temperatures.
Main Results:
- Neonatal MRSt is clinically feasible.
- Preprocessing + QA significantly improved the correlation between white matter MRSt and rectal temperature (R(2) increased from 0.27 to 0.78).
- MRSt temperatures in both thalamus and white matter showed strong linear correlation with rectal temperature (p < 0.05).
- Inconsistencies were noted between temperatures derived from different reference peaks (Cr, Cho, Naa) within calibration datasets.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal MRSt is clinically feasible for regional brain temperature assessment.
- Preprocessing and quality assurance are essential for reliable MRSt in neonatal white matter.
- Careful consideration of calibration biases is necessary when combining temperature data from multiple reference peaks.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Temperature Measurement Sites
A thermometer measures body temperature. The common sites for measuring body temperature are the oral cavity, axillary region, temporal artery, and skin surface, such as the forehead, abdomen, and axilla. True core body temperature is assessed in the rectum, tympanic membrane, pulmonary artery, esophagus, and urinary bladder.
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
01:27Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal
Rectal temperature measurement is considered the most precise method for assessing core body temperature and typically registers higher than oral temperature. For adults, the rectal thermometer should be inserted 1 to 1.5 inches into the rectum to obtain the most accurate reading.
Follow these steps for rectal temperature assessment:
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don clean gloves to prevent cross-infection.
Step 2: Position the patient in a side-lying position to better visualize the rectal...
Follow these steps for rectal temperature assessment:
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don clean gloves to prevent cross-infection.
Step 2: Position the patient in a side-lying position to better visualize the rectal...