Tympanic membrane temperature in a patient with vertigo.

Tympanic membrane temperature (TMT) is greatly influenced by the internal carotid artery and the jugular vein. Average human brain temperature is influenced by the differences between the temperature of the internal carotid artery and of the jugular vein. TMT has been used extensively as an indicator of brain temperature. Tympanic membrane temperature was measured in six healthy men (control group) and one patient with vertigo. In the control group, TMT showed considerable circadian changes parallel to the core temperature. In the patient with vertigo, TMT varied widely after the attack of vertigo. These data can provide a basis for the understanding of vertigo attacks.