[Persistent sciatic artery: a case report].
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.
Sagić
Dragan
D
Antonić
Zelimir
Z
Duvnjak
Stevo
S
Perić
Miodrag
M
Petrović
Branko B
BB
Ilijevski
Nenad
N
Radak
Djordje
D
D000792:Angiography; D001158:Arteries / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged