Pseudoaneurysm of the Superficial Temporal Artery Following Penetrating Trauma

Pseudoaneurysm of superficial temporal artery (STA) is an uncommon complication of blunt and penetrating trauma. It accounts for only 1% of all traumatic aneurysms. Most pseudoaneurysms of STA present as a painless pulsating mass, and its diagnosis can be made with physical examination and ultrasound or computed tomography angiogram. The treatment of choice is ligation and resection. This report includes a review of the anatomy, histopathology, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment options for STA pseudoaneurysm and presents a very rare documented case of STA pseudoaneurysm following penetrating trauma that was presented to the hospital with severe hemorrhage, and surgical resection of the lesion mandated the external carotid artery to be exposed for proximal control.