Clinical Review

Superficial temporal artery aneurysm: Diagnosis and treatment options

  1. Dominique J. P. van Uden MD1,*,
  2. Maarten Truijers MD, PhD1,
  3. Ellis E. Schipper MD1,
  4. Clark J. Zeebregts MD, PhD2,
  5. Michel M.P.J. Reijnen MD, PhD1

Article first published online: 2 FEB 2012

DOI: 10.1002/hed.21963

Issue

Head & Neck

Head & Neck

Volume 35, Issue 4, pages 608–614, April 2013

Additional Information

How to Cite

van Uden, D. J. P., Truijers, M., Schipper, E. E., Zeebregts, C. J. and Reijnen, M. M.P.J. (2013), Superficial temporal artery aneurysm: Diagnosis and treatment options. Head Neck, 35: 608–614. doi: 10.1002/hed.21963

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Surgery, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands

  2. 2

    Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

*Department of Surgery, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 18 MAR 2013
  2. Article first published online: 2 FEB 2012
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 6 SEP 2011
  4. Manuscript Revised: 11 AUG 2011
  5. Manuscript Received: 27 JUN 2011

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (322K)

Keywords:

  • vascular anomaly;
  • superficial temporal artery;
  • aneurysm

Abstract

Background

Superficial temporal artery (STA) aneurysms are an uncommon entity and mostly described in case studies. The purpose of this review was to show the studied clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, and treatment modalities of STA aneurysms.

Methods

A review was performed of reports on STA aneurysms published until December 2010, using the MEDLINE and Cochrane databases.

Results

One hundred sixty-six pseudoaneurysms and 20 true aneurysms were described. The majority of patients presented with a painless pulsatile mass. Historically, angiography was most often used, but ultrasound scan, CT, and MRI may be superior. Surgical resection was performed in 128 pseudoaneurysms and 20 true aneurysms with 1 recurrence and few complications. Endovascular approaches were used in 13% of pseudoaneurysms with an 80% success rate.

Conclusion

Pseudoaneurysms are mostly the result of blunt trauma as opposed to true aneurysms which usually occur spontaneously. Surgical resection is a safe treatment modality, but endovascular treatment might be considered in a selected group of patients. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (322K)