Bilateral persistent sciatic artery: a case report of a rare variant with clinical implications

• Author(s): Rodrigues,Tiago André Moura ; Ramalho,Madalena ; Ferreira,Tiago ; Ministro,Augusto ; Leitão,João
• Date: 2017
• Origin: SciELO Portugal
• Subject(s): Persistent sciatic artery; anatomic variants; aneurysm; lower extremity; CT-Angiography
• Document Type: Report
• Language: English

Description

Although rare, the persistence of a sciatic artery is a clinically significant vascular variant, since it is often associated with complications such as aneurysm formation, thrombosis and ischaemia. We present the case of a patient with signs of subacute ischaemia on the right lower limb and a pulsatile mass in the right inferior gluteal region. CT angiography revealed a bilateral persistent sciatic artery (PSA) complicated by aneurysm formation and embolization of distal popli­teal artery. Treatment included a femoro-popliteal bypass, ligation of the popliteal artery above the anastomosis and embolization of the aneurysmal lesion.