Deep Temporal Artery Anatomy: Implications for Improving the Safety of Deep Temporal Injections

Knowledge of the anatomy of the deep temporal artery (DTA) is critical to ensure safe filling of the deep temporal region. However, current treatment guidelines still focus on how to avoid the superficial temporal artery and the middle temporal vein, and an understanding of the safety of avoiding DTA injury is lacking.

The purpose of this study was to determine the positioning and course of the DTA to help clinicians safely perform the injection and filling in the temporal region.

Computed tomography (CT) scans and dissections of the skulls of 34 fresh frozen cadavers perfused with lead oxide were performed. Reconstruction and trajectory analysis of all DTA branches were performed using Mimics and MATLAB software.

In this study, the DTA was identified in all samples, which originated from the maxillary artery of the external carotid artery system. According to image reconstruction and anatomical observations, the distribution of the anterior and posterior branches of the DTA had two different distribution patterns. The anatomical level of the DTA is located between the temporal muscle and the periosteal layer. Compared with observations in previous studies, the anterior branch of the DTA is slightly different, and we found that its course is closer to the frontal area in Asian specimens.

The anatomical information on the DTA described in this study may help improve awareness of the safety of temporal injection by aesthetic physicians.

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine Ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266. .