Painful vascular compression syndrome of the sciatic nerve caused by gluteal varicosities

Abstract

The authors report three patients with chronic sciatic pain without focal neurologic deficit. Sitting or lying on the affected side provoked pain, and standing and walking relieved it. MRI revealed varicotic gluteal vessels compressing the sciatic nerve. Decompression of the nerve resulted in complete and permanent pain relief. Sciatic or buttock pain in patients with varicosities and pain provocation in the sitting or lying position suggests this neurovascular compression syndrome.