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https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-020-01791-2
Received: 23 January 2020 / Accepted: 13 May 2020 / Published online: 29 May 2020
Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature and International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2020
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Table 1 Comparison of various studies, describing middle temporal vein related measurements
References Year Specimen No. D (Min) (mm) D (Max) (mm) D (Avg) Point where MTV was measured
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Screening
Results
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The MTV has been described as a venous sinus found 2.0–9.1 mm), in an article by Jung et al. [17]. The above
constantly wrapped by the deep temporal fat pad between data demonstrate that size of the MTV could vary from 0.5
the layers of the deep temporal fascia. It is formed by the to 9.1 mm. The average length of the MTV was found to be
joining of multiple intramuscular veins from the temporalis 24 mm (range 10–60 mm) [13].
muscle at the level of the temporal process of the zygo-
matic bone, after which it pierces the deep layer of the deep Branching Pattern
temporal fascia to lie within the intermediate temporal fat
pad. This sinus pierces the superficial layer of the deep Four different distribution patterns of the MTV have been
temporal fascia, the loose areolar fascia, and the superficial found: Type 1 had only one major trunk; Type 2 had two
temporal fascia to join the superficial temporal fascial larger, parallel running major trunks that joined one major
venous plexus about 1 cm anterior and 2.5 cm above the trunk; Type 3 had one major trunk with one small
tragus [14]. descending branch joining the main trunk, and Type 4 had
As the MTV passes laterally, it pierces and runs for one major trunk with two smaller descending branches
several millimeters on the surface of the superficial layer of joining it [16]. A splitting and reuniting pattern of the
the deep temporal fascia. The MTV joins the STV about course of the MTV was also seen in 28% of cases [17].
1 cm below the upper border of the zygomatic root [15].
The STV, along with the maxillary vein draining the
pterygoid venous plexus, forms the posterior facial or Discussion
retromandibular vein (Fig. 1).
The use of filler injections for facial contour correction can
Relationship to Adjoining Structures lead to rare but serious complications such as vision loss,
cerebral embolism, and NTPE [9, 11]. As very few cases of
The average distance between the upper margin of the non-thrombotic pulmonary embolism after filler injection
zygomatic arch and the point where the MTV joins the have been reported in the literature, there is minimal
STV was found to be 12.7 ± 6.6 mm (range - 2–25 mm) information about the risk factors for this complication. In
by Yano et al. [16]. In another study, the MTV was found an article, three cases of pulmonary embolism with one
at 23.5 mm (15.7–33.6 mm) and 18.5 mm (12.5–23.5 mm) fatality have been reported after fat graft injection in the
above the zygomatic arch at the jugale and the zygion, temporal fossa [11].
respectively [17]. During its oblique course, the main trunk During corrective treatment of the temporal hollow,
of the MTV was found to be 52.0 ± 6.5 mm (range there is an absolute risk of a severe complication in the
42–65 mm) from the bony lateral canthus and form of a pulmonary embolism due to the presence of
12.0 ± 4.6 mm (range 5–22 mm) from the external audi- large-caliber veins. In the case of accidental intravenous
tory meatus [16]. filler injection in the temporal region, the right ventricle
can pump bloodborne filler emboli to the branches of the
Diameter and Length pulmonary artery, causing post-procedural non-thrombotic
pulmonary embolism [18, 19]. The patient may subse-
The mean caliber of the MTV was found to be quently present with acute respiratory failure, petechiae,
2.06 ± 0.17 mm at the point of origin and neurological features, or even coma [18]. Many cases of
3.02 ± 0.23 mm at the palpebral fissure plane by Jiang pulmonary embolism have been reported after the acci-
et al. [11]. The main trunk of the MTV can become dental injection of hyaluronic acid products in the venous
3.15 ± 0.13 mm at the level of the palpebral fissure [11]. circulation [20, 21]. Thorough knowledge of facial anat-
The diameter of the MTV was found to be 1.0–3.5 mm, omy is a prerequisite for safe outcomes after filler injec-
with a mean of 1.9 mm in another study [13]. The MTV tions. An awareness of topographically important blood
has also been described as a venous sinus with its length vessels and their relation to adjacent structures can help in
varying between 2.5 and 4 cm, while the width was vary- avoiding vascular complications associated with filler
ing between 0.5 and 1 cm [14]. While assessing the use- treatments [22, 23]. Knowledge of critical venous struc-
fulness of the MTV as a recipient vessel during free flap tures in treatment areas is essential to avoid the dreaded
surgery, the diameter of the MTV was found to be complication of NTPE.
2.01 ± 0.40 (1.2–2.5 cm) [15]. The average caliber of the The MTV courses along the outer surface of the deep
middle temporal vein in another series of microvascular layer of the deep temporal fascia (DTF) in a region lying
surgery cases was found to be 1.81 ± 0.56 mm (range, between the eyebrow and the ear. The MTV usually begins
0.7–2.5 mm) [16]. The average diameter of the MTV at its at the level of the lateral eyebrow, just lateral to the orbital
maximal point was found to be 5.1 mm (range, margin and superficial to the lateral orbital thickening. The
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was commonly seen pairing with a single middle temporal The inferior part of the tributaries and the main trunk of
artery (MTA) [30]. The anterior and posterior deep tem- the MTV lie in the non-hair-bearing part of the temporal
poral veins accompany corresponding arteries and drain the fossa, where filler injections are performed for the aug-
deep part of the temporalis muscle (Fig. 4). mentation of volume loss in the temple. For the safe
The pretragal point remains a suitable landmark for injection of temporal fillers, the extensive venous plexus in
locating the reliable position of the MTV draining from the the temporal region should be taken into account in order to
temple into the superficial temporal vein. As the pretragal reduce the possibility of vascular complications [32].
point relates to clear clinical landmarks and its location is While one of the studies mentions that the MTV is
far from the injection area in the temple, pressure exerted usually in a collapsed state throughout its course [25],
by an assistant at this point does not cause interference another mentions that the walls of the MTV are maintained
during the injection procedure [31]. The pressure at the in a dilated, and non-collapsed state as the vein’s stem is
pretragal vascular confluence point has been suggested as a embedded in the superficial temporal fat pad—the dense
preventive measure against venous complications during connective tissue present between the superficial and deep
the temporal injection but does not eliminate the risk of layers of the deep temporal fascia. It consequently does not
complications. collapse during injection like other veins, thus increasing
Chances of ocular complications after accidental injec- the risk of intravenous injection [11].
tion in the MTV can be regarded as minimal. The results of The inability to see the deeper structures during filler
retrograde venous injection have revealed that the threat of injections can be a risk factor in cases of inadequate
ocular complications after injection is low [25]. The pres- knowledge of the surface anatomy of important structures.
ence of functional venous valves may be an important The MTV is not a very well-known vessel among clini-
factor in preventing retrograde blood flow from the middle cians. However, awareness of the existence of the MTV is
temporal vein toward the ophthalmic circulation [16, 17]. essential in order to mitigate undue vascular complications
The factors associated with the complication of NTPE after during cosmetic procedures in the temporal region.
injection of the temporal fossa could be large volume Our study suggests that the location of the middle
injections in severe temporal hollowing, an improper temporal vein can be identified in relation to the superior
technique of injection in the ‘middle plane’ of the temporal border of the zygomatic arch. This location can be easily
fossa, a large MTV associated with temporalis hypertrophy palpated with a fingertip, and the zone of the MTV can be
after masseter botulinum toxin treatment [25], and a middle marked above the zygomatic arch. Based on our analysis of
temporal vein with several large tributaries. the course of the MTV, we propose that the area of the
Due to the large size along with its splitting variation temporal fossa, at least 34 mm (25 mm ? 9 mm) above
and branching patterns, the MTV occupies significant the zygomatic arch, is not safe for temporal injection due to
space in the temporal fossa. The presence of such an the variable position (- 2–25 mm from the upper border of
extensive venous plexus in the temporal fossa superficial to the zygomatic arch), oblique course and large size
the temporal muscle may be hazardous for both surgical (0.5–9.1 mm) of this vessel. The earlier suggested ‘safest
and non-surgical procedures in this area. The oblique area’ for filler injection during temporal fossa augmenta-
course of the MTV also ensures that finding a safer zone in tion at one finger width above the zygomatic arch [17] was
the temporal fossa, without encountering this vessel, could found to be unsafe in the current literature review. As the
be difficult. large muscle branches draining into the middle temporal
The middle temporal vein starts from the subcutaneous vein are present even at a level higher than this proposed
layer of the lateral canthal region and pierces the superfi- 34 mm zone, injection in the ‘middle depth plane’ may
cial layer of the deep temporal fascia to run in the temporal also be risky.
fat pad. The MTV also provides venous drainage for the The information in this review article can facilitate the
outer surface of the temporal muscle via multiple branches. accurate localization of the ‘venous danger zone’ in rela-
The MTV thus provides a connection between the venous tion to the middle temporal vein during pre-procedure
return from the superficial and the deep layer of the tem- marking and during the filler injection. The ‘venous danger
poral region. The distribution of the MTV over multiple zone’ can be marked by two lines, one lying at the upper
layers in the temporal area suggests that apart from border of the zygomatic arch. The junction between the
draining the middle layers, it also acts as a bridging vein lateral orbital rim and the beginning of the temporal crest
between the superficial layer (subcutaneous layer) and the has been proposed as ‘K Point.’ The second line may be
deep layer (temporal muscle) [16]. The MTV is also con- drawn from ‘K point,’ parallel to the line drawn from the
nected to the cavernous sinus through its connection with upper border of the zygomatic arch. This danger zone is
the supratrochlear vein [11]. much bigger than a similar venous danger zone previously
described in the literature as—‘at the temporal depression
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Aesth Plast Surg (2020) 44:1803–1810 1809
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maneuver during temporal augmentation using both anterograde Publisher’s Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to
and retrograde injections. Aesthet Plast Surg 39(5):791–799. jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-015-0529-1
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