Thomassen Irene, Klompenhouwer Elisabeth G, Willigendael Edith M, Teijink Joep A W
Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, Michelangelolaan, The Netherlands
Department of Radiology, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, Michelangelolaan, The Netherlands.
Vascular. 2014 Aug;22(4):274-9. doi: 10.1177/1708538113487335. Epub 2013 Jun 11.
To give an overview of the etiology and diagnostic process of superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysms and to evaluate different treatment modalities.
PubMed was used for searching multiple databases for relevant clinical studies.
A total of 62 studies were included, harboring 82 patients. Surgical excision is the most frequently described treatment, but less invasive treatment modalities as coiling and thrombin injections are gaining popularity. Surgical treatment was successful in all cases (67/67). Endovascular treatment was successful in 69% (9/13); the five cases treated with thrombin injection were all successful. Complementary, a description of our experience with thrombin injection is given.
Limited evidence of minimal invasive treatment for superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysm is available. Based on this review combined with our limited experience, we suggest thrombin injections to be considered as the future primary treatment modality. In the case of unsuccessful exclusion of the aneurysm, surgical excision can be performed.
