Persistent Sciatic Artery Presenting with Right Lower Limb Ischemia: A Potential Sonographic Pitfall

A persistent sciatic artery is a rare vascular anomaly [1-4] where there is continuation of the internal-iliac-artery into the thigh through the greater sciatic notch into the lower extremity. Unlike the fully developed native femoral-arteries, persistent-sciatic-arteries are prone to develop early atheromatous degeneration and formation of an aneurysm. Hypoplasia of the elastic components and the primitive composition of the arterial wall may be one of the caustive factor. The thrombosis of the aneurysm, resultant distal micro emboli and ischemic changes in the lower limb, is one of the known manifestation. Doppler examination of the lower limb is a common examination for suspected limb ischemia. Usual protocols do not take in to consideration for all possible anatomical variations, especially rare ones. It is important to look for subtle indirect signs of likely developmental variations when performing lower limb vascular examinations. We report a case of persistent sciatic artery which evaded the sonographic diagnosis initially. Managment of the patient, however was done with Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) and repeat sonography.

A 50-year-old female presented with intermittent pain and numbness in right lower limb for the past 2 months. She had normal blood pressure measurements; her laboratory investigations were normal. She had dusky bluish colouration of right distal leg and foot. Peripheral pulses were normal in upper limbs and left lower limb. Right dorsalis-pedis and posterior-tibial pulsations were feeble. She underwent Doppler ultrasound of lower extremities, which revealed triphasic flow in right External-Iliac-Artery (EIA), Common-Femopral-Artery (CFA) and proxinal Superficial Femoral Artery (SFA). Monophasic flow was noted in the right distal SFA, which appeared small in caliber. The flow in the popliteal-artery and Posterior-Tibial-Artery (PTA) were biphasic. There was feeble flow signals detected in Anterior-Tibial-Artery (ATA) and dorsalis pedis arteries. Examination of the left lower limb was normal. Findings were consistent with a possible occlusion of mid-distal SFA. No thrombus was identified in any of the visualised vessels. Patient underwent Computed Tomography Angiogram (CTA) for more detailed vascular anatomy. Examination showed the bilateral persistent sciatic continuation of the internal-iliac-arteries in association with two aneurysms in the right gluteal region (Figure 1). Structure and contours of the arteries and aneurysm were better demonstrated in 3D reconstruction (Figure 2). Distally right popliteal-artery was reformatted by the sciatic-artery as demonstrated in the delayed arterial phase indicating slow flow in these vessels. The PTA showed good contrast opacification. The ATA and dorsalis pedis were small, faintly reconstituted in the delayed phase, confirming the partial vascular occlusion. On performing a repeat color Doppler ultrasound examination, with diagnosis in mind, the persistent-sciatic-artery and aneurysm were visualsed in the gluteal region (Figure 3). The right sciatic nerve was also identified close to the artery. Surgical management was recommended to the patient. Patient deffered surgery in preference to conservative medical management. 

Figure 1: Axial contrast enhanced arterial phase CT demonstrate bilateral sciatic arteries (arrows) [a and b] and a large aneurysm on right side. Relatively small femoral arteries noted in the groin (triangle). 3D CT angiogram shows variant arterial anatomy and right sciatic artery aneurysm (c) (open) arrow. 

Figure 2: Surface rendered 3D reconstructions highlighting the arterial contours. Small superior outpouching (triangle) in the aneurysm (a) and an additional small aneurysm more distally (b) {arrow}. 

Figure 3: (a) color Doppler examination of right gluteal region shows a persistent sciatic artery and an adjacent aneurysm demonstrating a slow swirling flow. (b) Monophasic flow was note in a small caliber distal SFA. (c) Popliteal artery is normal in calibre shows biphasic flow.

Persistent Sciatic Artery (PSA) refers to the persistence of the embryonic sciatic artery. It is the result of incomplete or in some cases absolute non-obliteration of the Sciatic-Artery (SA) during developmental process [1]. Developmentally SA originate from the Umbilical-Arteries (UA) at approximately the 6-mm embryonic stage and serve as the primitive blood supply to the developing lower limb-bud. As development resumes the SA extends in the caudal direction along the dorsal aspect of the skeletal mesenchyme where it terminates at the foot. The EIA, which replaces the SA, originates from the UA just proximal to the SA. At the 12 mm of embryo the EIA further progresses into the common femoral CFA and SFA. In the normal evolution, the SFA extends in the caudal direction to the level of the knee where it bifurcates into the medial descending-geniculate and superior communicating-ramus-artery. By the 22-mm stage the femoro-popliteal connection becomes the dominant blood supply to the lower extremities and continuity of SA is arrested [2]. 

There are two types of persistent-sciatic-artery; the incomplete type where there is a hypoplastic persistent-sciatic-artery along with the dominant superficial-femoral vessel and a complete type in which a dominant persistent-sciatic-artery is noted along with a hypoplastic superficial-femoral system [2]. Though PSA is a rare entity, it is clinically significant congenital anatomical variant due to diagnostic challenges and associated complications. Some earlier study reported approximately 80% of PSA as complete type [3], however recent review suggest most common type as incomplete type (Class III Ahn Min classification) [4]. There are three factors influencing management of the patient: clinical features, aneurysm formation and the PSA type [3]. PSA has a reported incidence of 1 in 1700 to 3300. PSA’s may be complicated by aneurysms (40-61%), stenosis (7%) and or occlusions (9%). Aneurysm complicated PSA’s are symptomatic in roughly 50 % of the cases. The average age of presentation is 57 years and it harbours no gender predilection. Bilaterality has been reported in between 26.3- 50% of the cases [4-6]. 

In 1977, Bower et al., [2] proposed a classification system for PSA. Pillet et al., (1980) further stratified the Bower classification, subdividing PSA’s into 4 types. Types 1 and 2 are complete but differ in the degree of femoral artery development. Types 3 and 4 are incomplete, in both cases the SFA is patent shows continuation with the popliteal-artery. However in type 3 the proximal portion of the PSA remains while the distal portion of the PSA remains in type 4 [2,7]. Classifications are further modified by Gauffree (1-5 categories) and Ahm-Min (I-IV classes) based on precise state development of contributing arteries [4]. 

Single noninvasive imaging modality most useful for deliniation of complex vascular anatomy is contrast enhanced angiography [4,8]. However in many clinical set ups sonography remains as an initial imaging tool. Thus familiary of unusual vascular anatomy need to be kept in mind, when cluster of observations lead to logical conclusion of possible vascular anomaly. In our case initial impression was that of narrowing SFA leading to partial occlusion, despite the demonstration of normal size and flow in popliteal artery. In relatively young patients, without known predisposing causes of vascular disease, a vascular anomaly could be considered as an additional possibility. Sonographic evaluation in suspicious cases should be extended to include gluteal region. Apart from demonstrating vascular anatomy, sonography additionally demonstrates vascular thrombosis, vascular ectasia or an aneurysm. Occasionally relation of the vascular structures to sciatic nerve can be shown confirming clinically suspected nerve compression. 

Lesions due to PSA and related complications can be adequately dealt by surgical and endovascular intervention. Though some cases of PSA aneurysm managed conservatively with warfarin, a definitive surgical intervention should be undertaken before severe complication sets in [8]. In complete type of PSA aneurysm vascular supply of the lower limb is almost completely dependent on this aberrant artery [9]. Vascular reconstruction procedure like Femoropopliteal bypass is a recommended method as the risk of graft compression is less common [4,8,9]. The aneurysm can then be dealt with gelfoam or coil embolisation. An incomplete type of PSA aneurysm is satisfactorily managed by stenting or embolisation of the aneurysm [8].