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Anatomical variations between the sciatic nerve and the piriformis muscle: a contribution to surgical anatomy in piriformis syndrome

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy volume 36, pages 273–280 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

To detect the variable relationship between sciatic nerve and piriformis muscle and make surgeons aware of certain anatomical features of each variation that may be useful for the surgical treatment of the piriformis syndrome.

Methods

The gluteal region of 147 Caucasian cadavers (294 limbs) was dissected. The anatomical relationship between the sciatic nerve and the piriformis muscle was recorded and classified according to the Beaton and Anson classification. The literature was reviewed to summarize the incidence of each variation.

Results

The sciatic nerve and piriformis muscle relationship followed the typical anatomical pattern in 275 limbs (93.6 %). In 12 limbs (4.1 %) the common peroneal nerve passed through and the tibial nerve below a double piriformis. In one limb (0.3 %) the common peroneal nerve coursed superior and the tibial nerve below the piriformis. In one limb (0.3 %) both nerves penetrated the piriformis. In one limb (0.3 %) both nerves passed above the piriformis. Four limbs (1.4 %) presented non-classified anatomical variations. When a double piriformis muscle was present, two different arrangements of the two heads were observed.

Conclusions

Anatomical variations of the sciatic nerve around the piriformis muscle were present in 6.4 % of the limbs examined. When dissection of the entire piriformis is necessary for adequate sciatic nerve decompression, the surgeon should explore for the possible existence of a second tendon, which may be found either inferior or deep to the first one. Some rare, unclassified variations of the sciatic nerve should be expected during surgical intervention of the region.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Anatomy, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box: 300, Postal Code: 54124, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece

    Konstantinos Natsis, Trifon Totlis, George A. Konstantinidis & George Paraskevas

  2. Laboratory of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Maria Piagkou

  3. Center of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Juergen Koebke

Authors
  1. Konstantinos Natsis
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  2. Trifon Totlis
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  3. George A. Konstantinidis
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  4. George Paraskevas
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Correspondence to Konstantinos Natsis.

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Natsis, K., Totlis, T., Konstantinidis, G.A. et al. Anatomical variations between the sciatic nerve and the piriformis muscle: a contribution to surgical anatomy in piriformis syndrome. Surg Radiol Anat 36, 273–280 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-013-1180-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-013-1180-7

Keywords

  • Piriformis muscle syndrome
  • Sciatica
  • Gluteal region
  • Sciatic neuropathy
  • Nerve compression syndromes
  • Pelvic pain