Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
Aneurysms of the superficial temporal artery
(STA) are a rare and potentially critical cause of
facial masses. Usually, these aneurysms are
Pseudoaneurysm and occur following blunt or
penetrating trauma to the head or following
surgery in the temporal region. Most cases (about
75%) are the result of blunt head injury. Only 11
cases of spontaneous aneurysms were reported.
These aneurysms are assumed to have been
congenital or arteriosclerotic. Pseudoaneurysm has
occurred mainly in the anterior branch of the STA.
The first case of a STA Pseudoaneurysm was
described by Thomas Bertholin in 1740 and since
then about 400 cases have been published in the
literatures. I present two cases of traumatic
pseudoaneurysm of the STA and I discuss
pertinent diagnosis and treatment options, as well
as provide a brief review of the anatomy and
histopathology of pseudoaneurysms