Psychological stress affecting the size and resolution of an intermittent post-traumatic vascular lesion of the temporalis muscle

Harshit Arora; Vasudha Sharma; Lavanya Arora; Waryaam Singh; Rajesh Pasricha

doi:10.1590/1677-5449.202501052

Case Report

Psychological stress affecting the size and resolution of an intermittent post-traumatic vascular lesion of the temporalis muscle

Efeito do estresse psicológico sobre o tamanho e a resolução de uma lesão vascular pós-traumática intermitente do músculo temporal

Harshit Arora; Vasudha Sharma; Lavanya Arora; Waryaam Singh; Rajesh Pasricha

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1677-5449.202501052 J Vasc Bras, vol.25, e20250105, 2025

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Abstract

Vascular anomalies are disorders of arteries or veins which are further sub-classified as vascular malformations or vascular tumors. Vascular malformations are attributed to disorderly vascular morphogenesis, trauma, or hormonal imbalances. We present a rare case of a patient in their 30s who presented to the outpatient department with a localized post-traumatic soft tissue swelling in the temporalis region, which was soft and non-pulsatile with occurrences in periods of acute emotional stress, followed by spontaneous resolution when the same was negated by the patient. The diagnosis was established on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging and contrast enhanced computed tomography. We add to the existing limited literature on intramuscular vascular malformations of the temporalis muscle and highlight the effect of emotional stress and anxiety on vascular anomalies.

Keywords

vascular malformation; psychological stress; trauma; temporalis muscle; size variation

Resumo

As anomalias vasculares referem-se a distúrbios de artérias ou veias, podendo ser subclassificadas como malformações vasculares ou tumores vasculares. As possíveis causas de malformações vasculares incluem morfogênese vascular desordenada, trauma ou desequilíbrios hormonais. Apresentamos o caso raro de um paciente na faixa etária dos 30 anos que se apresentou ao ambulatório com edema localizado de tecido mole pós-traumático na região temporal, de consistência macia e não pulsátil, com ocorrência em períodos de estresse emocional agudo e resolução espontânea quando esse fator era negado pelo paciente. O diagnóstico foi estabelecido com base em ressonância magnética e tomografia computadorizada com contraste. Este relato contribui para a limitada literatura existente sobre malformações vasculares intramusculares do músculo temporal e destaca o efeito do estresse emocional e da ansiedade nas anomalias vasculares.

Palavras-chave

malformação vascular; estresse psicológico; trauma; músculo temporal; variação de tamanho

References

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Submitted date:
08/17/2025

Accepted date:
12/15/2025

Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular (SBACV)"> Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular (SBACV)">

Psychological stress affecting the size and resolution of an intermittent post-traumatic vascular lesion of the temporalis muscle

Efeito do estresse psicológico sobre o tamanho e a resolução de uma lesão vascular pós-traumática intermitente do músculo temporal

Harshit Arora; Vasudha Sharma; Lavanya Arora; Waryaam Singh; Rajesh Pasricha

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