Traumatic Pseudoaneurysms of the Head in War Time: Report of Two Unusual Cases

Abstract

Intracranial or extracranial pseudoaneurysms due to penetrating head injuries with gunshot are very rare entities. As the pseudoaneurysms of the superficial temporal artery usually present with a pulsating mass lesion beneath the scalp, intracranial pseudoaneurysms are manifested with symptoms including decreased conscious level, seizure, or focal neurological deficits. Here, two patients with combat-related pseudoaneurysms are reported. One was in the distal cortical branch of the anterior cerebral artery and one was in the superficial temporal artery. Both of the cases were victims of the Libyan war. One was admitted with a swelling in his scalp and a pseudoaneurysm on the parietal branch of the superficial temporal artery was diagnosed with computed tomography; and the other was incidentally diagnosed on the distal cortical branch of the anterior cerebral artery during an operation for removal of an intracranial bullet. Both of the aneurysms were treated with surgical excision without any complication.