Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger’s disease)

Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger’s disease)

This is a peripheral arterial disease of small and medium sized arteries which is characterised by the following:

1.     Occlusive disease of the small- and medium sized arteries (plantar, tibial, radial, etc.),

2.     thrombophlebitis of the superficial or deep veins,

3.     Raynaud’s syndrome (an exaggeration of vasomotor responses to cold or emotional stress);

It occurs in male smokers, usually under the age of 30 years. Often, only one or two of the three manifestations are present. Histologically, there are inflammatory changes in the walls of arteries and veins, leading to thrombosis.

Treatment:

 is total abstinence from smoking, which arrests, but does not reverse, the disease. Established arterial occlusions are treated as for atheromatous disease, but amputations may eventually be required.