Pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery following revision of a middle cerebral artery aneurysm clipping: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysms of the superficial temporal artery are mostly traumatic in origin. Here, a case of a superficial temporal artery aneurysm that emerged following a recraniotomy is presented. A 59-year-old woman was admitted with subarachnoid hemorrhage. She underwent a pterional craniotomy and clipping of a saccular aneurysm of middle cerebral artery bifurcation. A control digital subtraction angiography on the 3rd postoperative day revealed partial filling of the aneurysm and a revision was performed. The second control digital subtraction angiography on the 4th postoperative day of the revision showed a pseudoaneurysm of the left superficial temporal artery. The pseudoaneurysm was excised successfully under local anesthesia. In conclusion, pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery should be considered among the early postoperative complications of the surgical procedures at the superficial temporal artery territory. Although some conservative approaches are used, excision of the aneurysm is recommended for treatment.