Diagnosis of Traumatic Temporal Artery Pseudoaneurysm by Ultrasound in the Emergency Department

Pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery after blunt trauma: case report and literature review

“…Doppler ultrasonography is the first-line diagnostic modality [ 8 ] that reveals direct communication between the superficial temporal artery and turbulent flow, which is responsible for the yin-yang sign that is pathognomonic of pseudoaneurysm ( Fig. 1 ) [ 6 , 8 – 10 ]. CT angiography can assess the patency and position of the main trunk and distal branches, including the transverse facial, frontal, and parietal branches of the superficial temporal artery [ 11 ].…”

Superficial Temporal Artery Pseudoaneurysm Diagnosed by Point-of-Care Ultrasound

“…Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the STA is a rare complication of minor head trauma, usually presenting as a painless pulsatile mass following blunt trauma 1. Pseudoaneurysms are contained only by the external adventitial layer of the vessel wall, and are more likely to rupture than true aneurysms 2. Complications may include persistent headache, continued enlargement, dizziness, vision changes and, rarely, life-threatening hemorrhage 3.…”

“…Complications may include persistent headache, continued enlargement, dizziness, vision changes and, rarely, life-threatening hemorrhage 3. Diagnosis is typically made by history and physical examination, and confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography2 or CT angiography, although diagnosis by POCUS has been reported 2,4,5…”

Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery

“…1 The differential diagnosis includes cyst, lipoma, abscess, simple hematoma, arteriovenous fistula, vascular tumour and aneurysm/pseudoaneurysm of adjacent arteries. 1 Although ultrasound is an adequate noninvasive and readily available diagnostic tool, 2 an STA pseudoaneurysm may be diagnosed based on appearance alone. Surgical resection is highly successful, but alternative treatment modalities may be considered.…”