title: Sciatic nerve varices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe patients presenting with sciatic nerve varices (SNV), presenting pitfalls in diagnosis and management.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were investigated using duplex ultrasonography pre-operatively in three cases. Treatment was undertaken both by surgery and by foam sclerotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinically, SNV appeared just below the popliteal skin crease, lateral to the small saphenous vein (SSV). In two cases SNV occurred alone, in two further cases SNV occurred in conjunction with varices from other sources. Symptoms of 'sciatic' pain were present in all. Foam sclerotherapy (1% Polidocanol) was undertaken in one case with a varix. Complete obliteration of the vein and resolution of all symptoms was achieved at the 1-month follow-up examination. Surgical management was used in the other cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sciatic nerve vein follows the fibular saphenous nerve (lying superficial to the fascia in the leg). This nerve arises from the common peroneal nerve (in the popliteal fossa), and is a major branch of the sciatic nerve. Varices of the associated vein appear to be the result of a dysplasia. This condition may be more common than is currently recognised.
authors.affiliation: Varicci@tiscali.it
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Georgiev
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jawien
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zamboni
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000098:blood supply*; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures
chemical_list: D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols