Iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula of the superficial temporal artery

Abstract

Introduction: The temporal artery courses superficially over the temporal bone and thus can be vulnerable to trauma. Although traumatic lacerations of this vessel are indeed common, trauma-induced arteriovenous fistulae involving the temporal artery are relatively rare. Arteriovenous fistulae caused by iatrogenic injury to the temporal artery are rarer still.

Discussion and conclusion: We report a case of an ateriovenous fistula involving the superficial temporal artery which developed after surgical repair of trauma to the vessel following a blunt head injury. Ultimately, the lesion was successfully treated with complete excision.