Tuyển tập báo cáo các nghiên cứu khoa học quốc tế ngành y học dành cho các bạn tham khảo đề tài: Branch facial nerve trauma after superficial temporal artery biopsy: a case report | Rison Journal of Medical Case Reports 2011 5 34 http content 5 1 34 JOURNAL OF MEDICAL CASE REPORTS CASE REPORT Open Access Branch facial nerve trauma after superficial temporal artery biopsy a case report Richard A Rison Abstract Introduction 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. Case presentation 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. Conclusion 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. Introduction Giant cell arteritis GCA is a neurologic emergency requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. For years the gold standard diagnostic test has been superficial temporal artery biopsy STAB . This procedure is generally well tolerated with infrequent complications. Facial nerve injury is a known but uncommon complication with few reported cases. Case presentation A 73-year-old Caucasian woman with a one-year history of headaches and left temporal tenderness developed an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. She was started on prednisone and a few days later underwent a leftsided STAB as an outpatient. In the recovery room she noted difficulty closing
