Presentation
CT angiography was done for this diabetic patient to evaluate the lower limb arteries.
Patient Data
CT angiography of the pelvic and lower limb arteries shows a small right superficial femoral artery that terminates as geniculate branches of the right knee. The popliteal artery runs as a continuity of a large artery originating from the internal iliac artery passing to the posterior compartment of the thigh via the sciatic foramina features consistent with a persistent sciatic artery.
Thickening of the urinary bladder wall and multiple enlarged inguinal and iliac lymph nodes are noticed (send for further assessment).
Case Discussion
Sciatic arteries are the main blood supply to the lower limbs during fetal development. The sciatic artery eventually regresses, leaving remnants that persist as popliteal and peroneal arteries. Before sciatic regression, the popliteal and peroneal arteries establish continuity with the superficial femoral artery. The persistent sciatic artery is a direct continuation of the internal iliac artery. It is a rare anatomic variant where the sciatic artery does not regress during fetal development.1
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