| Anatomy of the auriculotemporal nerve: variations in its relationship to the superficial temporal artery and implications for the treatment of migraine headaches. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20440161 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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BACKGROUND: Clinical experience with surgical decompression of specific peripheral nerves in the head and neck for the relief of migraine headache symptoms has proven to be effective in most patients. Some patients, however, continue to have residual symptoms after these procedures. In an effort to better understand potential etiologies for failure of treatment, an investigation was performed to determine whether or not vascular-mediated peripheral trigger points exist that have heretofore been undescribed that may be contributing to persistent symptomatology. One such potential trigger point is the superficial temporal artery's interaction with the auriculotemporal nerve. A cadaveric investigation was performed to advance this anatomical understanding of this relationship. METHODS: Both sides of 25 fresh cadaveric heads were dissected in the preauricular and temporal regions. The superficial temporal artery and auriculotemporal nerve were identified and dissected both proximally and distally. Their relationship was examined, and a topographical map of their intersections was generated. RESULTS: The auriculotemporal nerve and superficial temporal artery run together in the superficial soft tissue in the preauricular and temple regions. A contiguous relationship between the two was found in 17 hemiheads (34.0 percent). CONCLUSIONS: There are variations in the relationship between the auriculotemporal nerve and the superficial temporal artery. These variations may serve as an anatomical explanation for this point as a source of migraine headaches in some patients. A topographical map of the relationship between these two structures may serve as a guide for surgeons interested in decompressing the nerve from the artery when indicated. |
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Authors:
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Jeffrey E Janis; Daniel A Hatef; Ivica Ducic; Jamil Ahmad; Corinne Wong; Ronald E Hoxworth; Timothy Osborn |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Plastic and reconstructive surgery Volume: 125 ISSN: 1529-4242 ISO Abbreviation: Plast. Reconstr. Surg. Publication Date: 2010 May |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-05-04 Completed Date: 2010-05-25 Revised Date: 2011-02-16 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 1306050 Medline TA: Plast Reconstr Surg Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1422-8 Citation Subset: AIM; IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Dallas, Texas, USA. jeffrey.janis@utsouthwestern.edu |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Cadaver Ear, External / innervation* Humans Middle Aged Migraine Disorders / etiology, therapy* Parotid Gland / innervation Temporal Arteries / anatomy & histology* Trigeminal Nerve / anatomy & histology* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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