Palpable Mass on the Head after Minor Trauma

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysms are rare but can result from minor trauma, particularly in elderly patients using anticoagulants.
• These pseudoaneurysms pose a risk due to the artery's superficial location and susceptibility to injury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diagnosis and management of superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysms.
• To present a case study of an 80-year-old male with this condition.

Main Methods:

• Diagnosis relies primarily on patient history and physical examination.
• Duplex ultrasound scanning is crucial for confirmation and preoperative planning.
• Surgical ligation and excision is the primary therapeutic approach.

Main Results:

• Surgical treatment under local anesthesia demonstrated no significant postoperative complications.
• Endovascular embolization is considered a secondary option due to potential complications and less conclusive outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysms require a diagnostic approach prioritizing clinical assessment and ultrasound confirmation.
• Surgical intervention is the preferred and effective treatment modality with a favorable safety profile.