Facial nerve injury following superficial temporal artery biopsy.
BACKGROUND
With proper training, superficial temporal artery biopsy is a safe office procedure with few complications. Surgeons from different disciplines, including ophthalmologists, dermatologists, general surgeons, and plastic surgeons may be called upon to perform this common procedure to confirm giant cell arteritis.


OBJECTIVE
To emphasize the surgical anatomy of the scalp as it pertains to superficial temporal artery biopsy and to raise awareness that significant complications can occur after superficial temporal artery biopsy.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
A 75-year-old woman with presumed giant cell arteritis developed frontalis muscle paralysis following a superficial temporal artery biopsy. Biopsy selection site within the danger zone combined with deep dissection carries the greatest risk of injury to the temporal branches of the facial nerve.


CONCLUSIONS
Any surgeon involved in the practice of performing superficial temporal artery biopsies should have a thorough understanding of proper surgical techniques and regional anatomy to avoid potential devastating complications.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA. tbhatti@eye1.eye.ufl.edu
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Bhatti
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Goldstein
D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000473:pathology*