Limb ischemia associated with persistent sciatic artery aneurysms-a report of 2 cases

Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare developmental anomaly, usually associated with iliofemoral hypoplasia and dependence on the sciatic artery as the dominant inflow to the lower extremity. Although rare, this anomaly is associated with a very high rate of aneurysm formation and frequent thromboembolic complications presenting as lower extremity ischemia, and requires familiarity on the part of the vascular surgeon to properly diagnose the disorder and plan therapy. The authors present 2 cases of PSA presenting with lower extremity ischemia and review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this rare but important anomaly.