title: Persistence of the sciatic artery: a case report of a combined (complete and incomplete) type causing leg ischemia.
abstract: Persistent sciatic artery is a very uncommon embryologic vascular variant, with a prevalence of 0.05% based on angiographic studies. Two different types of this anomaly can occur, complete or incomplete, on the basis of the relationship between sciatic artery and femoral artery. Although many of these patients are asymptomatic, it may represent a threat to the viability of the lower extremity because of atherosclerotic degeneration resulting in aneurysmal dilatation, occlusive thrombosis, or embolic phenomena with distal complication. We present a case of a 64-year-old man with combined, complete and incomplete, type of persistent sciatic artery causing ischemic ulcer of the first toe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 324-00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cavallo Marincola
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Napoli
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anzidei
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marotta
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boni
authors.forename: Gaia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cartocci
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bertaccini
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Noce
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Antonietta Pacilé
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Catalano