Surveillance and Conservative Management of a Persistent Sciatic Artery Aneurysm

Diagnostic strategies for the persistent sciatic artery

Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare congenital vascular anomaly that leads to aneurysmal degeneration and atherosclerotic changes. A careful understanding of the embryology is mandatory as variations in vascular development determine the optimal treatment. We present a case of an 85-year-old female who was incidentally found to have a PSA aneurysm, and review the literature.

[Persistent sciatic artery: possible false negative imaging]

Persistent sciatic artery is a rare congenital malformation due to the lack of regression of the dorsal arterial axis of the embryo that can be revealed by serious complications. We report a case of bilateral persistent sciatic artery revealed by subacute distal ischemia. This case illustrates the possibility of false negative imaging and the importance of ruling out this diagnosis in case of recurrent and apparently idiopathic distal embolism.