Popliteal artery acute thromboembolic ischemia from a persistent sciatic artery

Abstract

A persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare anomaly and it is an embryologic remanent of the internal iliac artery, occurring in five different forms, depending on its relationship with the superficial femoral artery (SFA). Physicians must acknowledge the existence of this anomaly, and it should be included in the differential diagnosis of lower limb ischemia. We present the case of a 56-year-old female who presented with a popliteal artery acute ischemic event. Angiography showed a hypoplastic right SFA with a patent PSA vascularizing the lower extremity. A conventional embolectomy through a P1 popliteal incision was auspiciously performed. A magnetic resonance angiography confirmed a PSA of the right lower extremity during the post-operative period. At 12-month follow-up, the patient is well and asymptomatic.