Persistent Sciatic Vein – Unusual Cause of Reflux from the Popliteal Fossa and Sural Nerve Damage

Abstract

Introduction Fourteen months later further aching varicosities behind the knee occurred and reflux was apparent Varicose veins arising from the popliteal fossa comon continuous wave doppler. Duplex study (Fig. 1) showed that the origin was an incompetent vein supprise about 25% of those in the lower limb and are usually derived from reflux at the saphenopopliteal plying recurrent calf varicosities, running deep into the popliteal fossa but superficial and lateral to the junction. Because of the difficulties in identifying this and the considerable variation in anatomy that may popliteal vein, and ascending into the proximal posterior thigh. There was no demonstrable connection exist, it has been suggested that all cases in which this is suspected, continuous wave doppler findings be to the popliteal vein in the calf or thigh. The deep veins and long saphenous were confirmed patent and confirmed preoperatively with duplex scanning. We describe here a patient who was not checked competent on duplex. Venography and varicography (Figs 2 and 3) rein the manner referred to above, and in whom, an unrecognised persistent sciatic vein may have been vealed normal flow in the deep veins and long saphenous vein and varicosities connecting to a the souce of varicosities. At operation, the sural nerve was incorporated in the wall and suffered damage. persistent sciatic vein eventually entering the pelvis to drain into the internal iliac vein on that side. Subsequently the varicosities recurred. Simple stab avulsions were undertaken, since then there have been no further recurrences a year after her second procedure. Case Report