Fusiform Enlargement of the Superficial Temporal Artery in the Cases with Intracranial Aneurysm

Abstract

AIM: The superficial temporal artery is one of the main terminal branches of the external carotid artery. This artery ascends through the lateral posterior margin of the zygomatic arch to reach the temporal region of the scalp. The superficial temporal artery divides its frontal and parietal branches around the zygomatic arch. MATERIAL and METHODS: The raw data of the Three-dimensional Computerized Tomography Angiography (3D-CTA) were transferred to computer and recorded in a software program. This software program created the three-dimensional images of the superficial temporal artery using these transferred raw data with volume rendering technique. RESULTS: Fifteen cases (5 female and 10 male, mean age 54.26 +/- 12.35 years) with intracranial aneurysm were evaluated in terms of the type, location and dimensions of the fusiform enlargements. Fusiform enlargement was bilateral in eleven of the cases. Remaining four cases have unilateral fusiform enlargement of the superficial temporal artery. CONCLUSION: Fusiform enlargement of the superficial temporal artery may be seen in the cases with intracranial aneurysms. 3D-CTA should be carefully evaluated in the demonstration of extracranial-intracranial vascular pathologies.