Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery: A case report

Abstract

A case of a large traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery is reported. An 80-year-old female was hit by a car and suffered a large subcutaneous hematoma of the right parietotemporal region as well as a right frontal acute epidural hematoma. Although the epidural hematoma had resolved spontaneously, over the next 3 months, the subcutaneous hematoma gradually grew in size and became pulsatile. Neuroradiological studies revealed a large aneurysm of the superficial temporal artery, which was successfully removed at surgery. The pathological specimen showed a pseudoaneurysm. Previous reports on the traumatic aneurysms of the scalp are reviewed briefly, with regard to their etiology, diagnosis and management.