Superficial Temporal Artery Pseudoaneurysm: A Case Report

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysms of the superficial temporal artery are an uncommon vascular lesion of the external carotid system and most often the result of blunt head trauma. The frequency of pseudoaneurysms of the superficial temporal artery developing after craniotomy is exceedingly low and only a few cases have been reported. We present a case of pseudoaneurysm of this type in a 45-year-old male who underwent craniotomy for excision of meningioma. One month postoperatively, the craniotomy flap exhibited an enormous diffuse pulsate swelling. The suspected diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm arising from superficial temporal artery was confirmed on angiography. Surgical excision was done and no recurrences of the tumor or aneurysm were noted on subsequent follow up.

Traumatic Superficial Temporal Artery Pseudoaneurysm Treated With Thrombin Injection

“…The most common cause of STA PSA is blunt head trauma, accounting for 75% to 95% of cases. 1 Thomas Bartholin described this in 1740 when a seven year old child suffered blunt trauma to the head. 1,2 The superficial temporal artery is vulnerable to blunt injury because of its long superficial course over the underlying bone structures of the frontotemporal skull.…”

“…1 Thomas Bartholin described this in 1740 when a seven year old child suffered blunt trauma to the head. 1,2 The superficial temporal artery is vulnerable to blunt injury because of its long superficial course over the underlying bone structures of the frontotemporal skull. 3 It is a terminal branch of the external carotid artery which bifurcates into frontal and parietal branches.…”

Endovascular embolisation of an iatrogenic superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysm using liquid embolic

“…While STA pseudoaneurysms as a result of surgery have been previously reported, the most common cause of this pathology remains blunt or penetrating trauma 3–7. It is presumed that the STA is at risk for injury and pseudoaneurysm formation during impact due to the lack of muscular cushion protecting the artery from the temporal bone underneath it 3 7–9.…”

“…Most cases present with a progressively enlarging pulsatile mass that can present acutely (within days) or months after vessel injury. Though many patients remain otherwise asymptomatic beyond the obvious cosmetic deformity, headache, facial pain, or facial palsy (due to the proximity of the facial nerve in this location) have been reported 4 10 11…”

Palpable Pulsatile Mass of the Forehead: A Case Series of Superficial Temporal Artery Pseudoaneurysms

“…The most common etiology of STA-pseudoaneurysms is blunt trauma, accounting for 75% to 95% of cases. Penetrating injury, iatrogenic injury after surgical procedures involving face or head and spontaneous pseudoaneurysms due to atheromatosis or a congenital defect of the arterial wall are other described causes [2,3].…”