Can This Large Pulsing Temporal Artery Be Removed?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I suppose this is an artery on my temple extending up into the forehead.. It pulsates the entire length of the bulge. Can it be removed? Thank you

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your picture of your prominent anterior branch of the superficial temporal artery. Admittedly, even in my extensive experience with his problem, I have never seen one that big and prominent. This is treated by multiple point ligations to shut off the flow into it. It is not treated by excision as the frontal branch of the facial nerve runs in proximity to it with a high risk of permanent paralysis of eyebrow movement if total excision of the artery was undertaken.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana