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What Causes Protruding Swelling After A Recent Medical Procedure?
Question: Hello,my enquiry relates to a recent procedure I had which involved ligating (biopsy) approximately 8cm of the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery on the right side of my forehead.This was performed by a vascular surgeon at my request due to excessive prominence of the artery in times of heat,stress,etc.My concern is that the procedure which was performed 10 days ago is swollen and protruding significantly more so than when the artery would be prominent and I fear that this will remain permanent.Virtually none,if any,indication of incision is visible which is positive.My concern rests solely on the protruding matter beneath the skin.What is the likely outcome?
Brief Answer:
Should subside gradually.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
If it has been only 10 days I think you have no particular reason for worry. At times after such a procedure there can some local inflammation with swelling of the area. However it is temporary and should gradually subside over the next month. You shouldn't need any special treatment.
Reason for concern would be if it is still progressing or increasing pain appears, but that shouldn't be the case, it's one of the safest procedures.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Should subside gradually.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
If it has been only 10 days I think you have no particular reason for worry. At times after such a procedure there can some local inflammation with swelling of the area. However it is temporary and should gradually subside over the next month. You shouldn't need any special treatment.
Reason for concern would be if it is still progressing or increasing pain appears, but that shouldn't be the case, it's one of the safest procedures.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the reply.The other concern I have is whether the frontal branch of the temporal artery on the left side of my forehead will become visibly prominent as a direct result of the right side ligation.The left side is prominent also but much less so than the right side prior to the procedure so I'm hoping it doesn't increase in prominence.What can I expect?
Brief Answer:
Not related.
Detailed Answer:
The fact that you ligated your right artery will have no influence on your left one, have no worry.
The blood flow will continue by means of other right circulation arteries, it won't deviate towards the left superficial temporal artery if that is what you're concerned about.
I hope to have been of help.
Not related.
Detailed Answer:
The fact that you ligated your right artery will have no influence on your left one, have no worry.
The blood flow will continue by means of other right circulation arteries, it won't deviate towards the left superficial temporal artery if that is what you're concerned about.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply.Just to finalise my query,im hoping you can tell me if the area directly where the surgery took place should be firm or soft to the touch as it feels quite firm and bumpy at present and I am concerned that this is scar tissue which may not subside.What does this indicate?
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Around the incision site there can be some inflammation which can feel firm that in itself and is no reason to worry. There is no reason for there to be scar tissue, the ligation involves only a couple of incisions and if there was any scarring it would be at the incision site which you report to be fine though. Again as I said at the beginning, temporal artery ligation is a very safe procedure.
If on the other hand you mean to have this firmness and bumpiness along the trajectory of a vessel then that shouldn't be happening. Of course it is difficult to express an opinion without having the luxury of examining it. It is not scar tissue but it may indicate a thrombosed blood vessel, so I would say you should perhaps contact the vascular surgeon and have it examined.
Also if you have any report of the procedure, I would gladly look at it, if you can make a photo and upload in reports section. It happens at times that there are details of a procedure which the patient is not aware off or has misunderstood. I am saying this because you speak of ligation, but then mention biopsy in parenthesis which is not quite the same thing as it would mean incision over the trajectory of the arterial segment and its excision.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Around the incision site there can be some inflammation which can feel firm that in itself and is no reason to worry. There is no reason for there to be scar tissue, the ligation involves only a couple of incisions and if there was any scarring it would be at the incision site which you report to be fine though. Again as I said at the beginning, temporal artery ligation is a very safe procedure.
If on the other hand you mean to have this firmness and bumpiness along the trajectory of a vessel then that shouldn't be happening. Of course it is difficult to express an opinion without having the luxury of examining it. It is not scar tissue but it may indicate a thrombosed blood vessel, so I would say you should perhaps contact the vascular surgeon and have it examined.
Also if you have any report of the procedure, I would gladly look at it, if you can make a photo and upload in reports section. It happens at times that there are details of a procedure which the patient is not aware off or has misunderstood. I am saying this because you speak of ligation, but then mention biopsy in parenthesis which is not quite the same thing as it would mean incision over the trajectory of the arterial segment and its excision.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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