Branch facial nerve trauma after superficial temporal artery biopsy: a case report
Open Access
- 26 January 2011
- journal article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Journal of Medical Case Reports
- Vol. 5 (1), 34
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1947-5-34
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis is an emergency requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. Superficial temporal artery biopsy is the gold diagnostic standard. Complications are few and infrequent; however, facial nerve injury has been reported, leaving an untoward cosmetic outcome. This case report is to the best of our knowledge only the fourth one presented in the available literature so far regarding facial nerve injury from superficial temporal artery biopsy. A 73-year-old Caucasian woman presented for neurological evaluation regarding eyebrow and facial asymmetry after a superficial temporal artery biopsy for presumptive giant cell arteritis-induced cephalalgia. Damage to branches of the facial nerve may occur after superficial temporal artery biopsy, resulting in eyebrow droop. Although an uncommon and sparsely reported complication, all clinicians of various specialties involved in the care of these patients should be aware of this given the gravity of giant cell arteritis and the widespread use of temporal artery biopsy.Keywords
This publication has 10 references indexed in Scilit:
- Neuro-ophthalmic complications in giant cell arteritis.Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 2008
- Temporal artery biopsy in the management of giant cell arteritis with neuro-ophthalmic complicationsBritish Journal of Ophthalmology, 2001
- Facial Nerve Injury Following Superficial Temporal Artery BiopsyDermatologic Surgery, 2001
- Facial nerve injury following superficial temporal artery biopsy.2001
- Partial facial paralysis following temporal artery biopsyEye, 2000
- Temporal Artery Biopsy in a Dermatologic Surgery PracticeDermatologic Surgery, 1999
- Temporal Artery Biopsy Technique: A Clinico-Anatomical ApproachOphthalmic Surgery, Lasers and Imaging Retina, 1991
- Brow Droop After Superficial Temporal Artery BiopsyAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology, 1986
- Is Temporal Artery Biopsy Prudent?Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 1984
- Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis).1971