Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a quite common panarteritis of the elderly that affects medium- and large-size arteries. Despite the increasing role of imaging with advancing technology, the gold standard for the diagnosis of GCA is still the temporal artery biopsy. A described complication of superficial temporal artery biopsy (STAB), for which incidence is not clear, is the accidental damage of the frontal branch of the facial nerve. In this paper, we described the short-scar facelift surgical approach for STAB on 23 consecutive patients who underwent unilateral superficial temporal artery biopsy for GCA suspicion. We collected data in terms of postoperative complications, biopsy specimen length, biopsy result and cosmetic appearance of the scar. In our experience, this surgical approach combines the advantage of avoiding incisions within the dangerous anatomical area, minimizing the risk of facial nerve damage, with an acceptable complication rate and a good final aesthetic result which avoids visible scarring.
Highlights
IntroductionGiant cell arteritis (GCA) is a quite common panarteritis of the elderly that affects medium- and large-size arteries
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a quite common panarteritis of the elderly that affects medium- and large-size arteries.This type of vasculitis commonly involves the superficial temporal branches of the external carotid artery and the ophthalmic branch of the internal carotid artery.GCA has its peak of incidence between 70 and 80 years and it is more common in females than in males, especially among the Northern European population [1].There is still an open debate regarding pathogenesis of this clinical condition; regardless, all theories are in agreement in affirming that the immunopathology of GCA is due to an active immune response towards the vessel wall
T-cells and macrophages that infiltrate the boundary of the media and intima, leading to a granulomatous inflammation that promotes the formation of giant cells, and this is the reason why this vasculitis is named giant cell arteritis [2]
Summary
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a quite common panarteritis of the elderly that affects medium- and large-size arteries. This type of vasculitis commonly involves the superficial temporal branches of the external carotid artery and the ophthalmic branch of the internal carotid artery. The classic symptoms are related to the local vascular damage resulting in vessel wall hyperplasia and arterial occlusion, and consist of headaches, jaw claudication, and visual impairments [3]. 50% of patients affected by GCA present normal physical findings on palpation of the superficial temporal artery. A described complication of superficial temporal artery biopsy (STAB), for which incidence is not clear, is the accidental damage of the frontal branch of the facial nerve [7]. We describe the short-scar facelift surgical approach for STAB and a case series study
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
