A Case of Superficial Temporal Arterial Aneurysm Complicated by von Recklinghausen Disease

Abstract

We report a case of superficial temporal arterial aneurysm complicated by von Recklinghausen disease. A 75-year-old woman visited our institution because of a pulsating tumor in her right temporal region. She had previously undergone a right nephrectomy for a pheochromocytoma, and a splenectomy for a splenic arterial aneurysm. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a dilatation of the right superficial temporal artery, and we made a diagnosis of superficial temporal arterial aneurysm. The patient underwent resection of the aneurysm to prevent rupture. The wall of the aneurysm was fragile, and pathological examination disclosed infiltration of spindle cells to the adventitia of the arterial wall, thinning of the media, tearing of elastic fiber, and thickening of the intima. Immunohistological staining showed S-100 protein on the surface of the spindle cells, which suggested that they originated from Schwann cells.