Radiological and Embryological Relevance of Persistent Sciatic Arteries: A Rare Presentation

Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is an extremely rare condition that is present in around 0.05% of the population and is commonly associated with many complications. The management is conservative or through surgical intervention and depends on the type of complication. The case presented is of a 40-year-old man who complained of persistent pain in the buttock region. On radiology, bilateral PSAs were observed exiting through the infra-pyriformis compartment of the greater sciatic foramen accompanying the sciatic nerve. The femoral artery and the external iliac artery are small in caliber. In this case report, we discuss the underlying embryology that might have led to the persistence of this vessel with illustrations and the abnormal radiological pattern of this anomaly. Increased awareness of PSA can improve patient care and prevent potentially hazardous complications during hip and renal transplant surgery.