Persistent sciatic artery: clinical, embryologic, and angiographic features.

The persistent sciatic artery is a rare but interesting and clinically pertinent vascular anomaly that may present as a buttock aneurysm or as ischemic or embolic disease. Its correct angiographic diagnosis depends on recognition of an abnormally large internal iliac artery, appropriate injection and adequate timing to fill and follow flow into the large vessel, and recognition and differentiation of the tapering superficial femoral artery from routine occlusive disease so that an accurate picture of lower leg runoff is provided.