The persistent sciatic artery is a rare anatomical variation, with few cases described on the literature. It presents clinically as aneurysm formation, pulsate gluteal mass, acute or chronic limb ischemia and sciatic nerve compression. Diagnosis is confirmed by imaging methods: duplex scan, CT angiographt and magnetic resonance angiography. Treatment is indicated in symptomatic cases and when there is aneurysm formation and it is performed by ligation of the sciatic artery or endovascular embolization, associated with limb revascularization in the cases the sciatic artery is the main blood supply to the limb. We report the case of a 43 year-old female patient, ,with a false aneurysm of the sciatic artery confirmed by duplex scan and magnetic resonance angiography who had local pain and sciatic neuropathy due to neural compression. Surgical exploration was performed, with ligation of sciatic artery and thrombus removal. At the 12 months follow up there was significant pain relief and she was performing motor physical therapy to recover the neurological functions of the limb.
sciatic neuropathy; aneurysm, false; iliac artery
