Clinical implications of the middle temporal vein with regard to temporal fossa augmentation

Dermatol Surg. 2014 Jun;40(6):618-23. doi: 10.1111/dsu.0000000000000004.

Abstract

Background: The middle temporal vein (MTV) traverses the temporal fossa between the superficial and deep layers of the deep temporal fascia. During filler injection into a deficient temporal fossa, filling agents may be inadvertently injected into the MTV, which results in vascular complications.

Objective: To investigate the course of the MTV to enable safe filler injection in the temple area.

Materials and materials: The course and diameter of the MTV were measured in 18 hemifaces from 9 Korean cadavers.

Results: The MTV was located 23.5 and 18.5 mm above the zygomatic arch at the jugale and the zygion, respectively. The diameter of the MTV at its thickest point was 5.1 mm. A splitting and reuniting pattern, such that the MTV occupied more space than a single trunk, was observed in 28% of cases.

Conclusion: We propose that the safest area for filler injection in temporal fossa augmentation is one finger width above the zygomatic arch.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cadaver
  • Dissection
  • Frontal Bone / blood supply*
  • Frontal Bone / pathology
  • Frontal Bone / surgery
  • Head
  • Humans
  • Republic of Korea
  • Temporal Bone / blood supply*
  • Temporal Bone / pathology
  • Temporal Bone / surgery*
  • Temporal Muscle / blood supply*
  • Temporal Muscle / pathology
  • Temporal Muscle / surgery
  • Veins* / surgery