The authors define the "throbbing buttocks syndrome" which can in fact correspond to different pathological entities: aneurysm of the persistent sciatic artery and/or congenital or traumatic arteriovenous fistula of the hypogastric and gluteal vessels. Seven cases are reported: 1 case of aneurysm of the persistent sciatic artery complicated by truncal embolism and fissuring which was treated successfully by occlusive endoaneurysmorrhaphy; and 6 cases of arteriovenous fistulas (1 traumatic and 5 congenital). In all cases of arteriovenous fistula the technique used involved initial embolization which was complicated by anterior ligature of the hypogastric artery and then by excision of the malformation which was extremely hemorrhagic in some cases. Out of these 6 cases, results have been satisfactory for 5 and incomplete for the remaining one.