Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery

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

“…The pulsations of the mass can be eliminated or reduced by proximal compression of the STA. A systolic murmur and a palpable 'thrill' can be present [2,4].…”

“…Nevertheless, the correct diagnosis can often be made by detailed history and accurate clinical examination [4]. Diagnosis is frequently confirmed by duplex-sonography and sometimes by classical or CT-angiography [2,7].…”

“…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].…”

“…In most case reports the superficial anterior branch is affected. Between the occipitofrontalis muscle and the temporalis muscle, the anterior branch of the STA is most vulnerable to compression against the rigid scull [2,4] (Figure 1). Male and elderly patients with atherosclerotic and/or calcified arteries are especially vulnerable to this type of aneurysm.…”

“…Most aneurysms of the STA are pseudoaneurysms: a trauma to the STA leads to partial transsection and/or contusion of a segment of the artery and causes the lumen of the artery no longer being surrounded by the three layers of the arterial wall [2,4] (Figure 2). This is in contrast to a "real" aneurysm, where the three layers of the arterial wall remain present.…”