Bilateral persistent sciatic arteries complicated by a unilateral aneurysm: A case report

Abstract

First described by Green in 1832, persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare anomaly classified into 2 types, namely complete and incomplete. We report the case of bilateral PSAs diagnosed by computed tomography angiography (CTA) in a 45-year-old female who presented with a 2-week history of pain and numbness in the left lower limb. Specifically, the CTA showed an incomplete PSA of the right lower limb and a complete PSA of the left lower limb complicated by an aneurysm. Complications of PSA, including aneurysmal rupture, occlusive thrombosis, and distal embolization, are critical as they impose serious hazards to the viability of the lower limbs. Asymptomatic patients with PSA require close surveillance for early detection and proper management of PSA-related complications, as they are prone to early atheromatous degeneration and aneurysm formation.

Keywords

• Persistent Sciatic Artery
• Bilateral Persistent Sciatic Artery
• Vascular Anomaly
• Complications
• Aneurysm