title: [Persistent sciatic artery: a case report].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The sciatic artery represents the earliest embryological blood supplyto the lower extremity. It regresses after the 3rd month of embryologic development. The proximal part of the sciatic artery eventually persists as the inferior gluteal artery. Rarely, however, it persists into adulthood when it is frequently associated with numerous possible complications (aneurysm formation, embolism, nerve compression, rupture, thrombosis).
  
  
  METHODS
  In March 1996, a 48-year-old male was admitted for angiography of the blood vessels of the right inferior extremity, before an elective orthopaedic procedure. Arteriography of the right leg was done in a usual manner through the right common femoral artery in order to get an angiogram of the popliteal trifurcation and crural arteries. However, on the first field we noticed a hypoplastic superficial femoral artery, as well as a huge persistent sciatic artery (PSA) originating from the internal iliac artery running distally and overlapping the deep femoral artery. There were no aneurysm and stenotic changes of PSA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If clinical condition is stable, follow-ups at 12 months intervals should be done by means of ultrasound. The therapeutic decisions also depend on complete or incomplete PSA.
authors.forename: Dragan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sagić
authors.forename: Zelimir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Antonić
authors.forename: Stevo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duvnjak
authors.forename: Miodrag
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perić
authors.forename: Branko B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Petrović
authors.forename: Nenad
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ilijevski
authors.forename: Djordje
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Radak
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography; D001158:Arteries / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged