Buerger's Disease or Thromboangitis Obliterans

What is Buerger's Disease/ Thromboangitis Obliterans?

Buerger's disease or Thromboangitis Obliterans is a rare disease that affects veins and medium sized arteries of your hands and feet.

These blood vessels get inflamed and obstructed. Decreased blood flow causes ischemic pain known as claudication.

In later stages there is death of cells and tissue in the area causing ulcers, gangrene and can also lead to amputation of hands and fingers.

What is the cause of Buerger's Disease?

The cause of Buerger's disease is not known.

But it is almost always a disease of smokers.

The patient is usually a male smoker in his 20s or 30s.

The symptoms are claudication, numbness, tingling. Raynaud phenomenon in which the fingers turn pale on exposure to cold can be seen.

How is Buerger's Disease diagnosed?

There is no definitive test for diagnosis of Buerger's Disease. But a history of tobacco smoking, and younger age favours diagnosis. Physical exam may show pale, reddish or blueish hands or feet. Allen's Test can be done to access the circulation in the hands.

Angiography of all limbs are ordered which shows occlusive disease.

What is the treatment of Buergers Disease?

The only definitive treatment of this disease is to stop smoking tobacco COMPLETELY.

Continuation of intake of tobacco even in chewing form increases risk of ulcers, gangrene and AMPUTATION.

But with complete cessation of smoking, prognosis is usually good.

Do not get confused between Buerger's disease and Berger's Disease.

bUerger's = Thromboangitis obliterans - afffects blood vessels

bergers= IgA Nephropathy - a disease affecting kidneys

PathologyNuggets.blogspot.com notes on Buerger's Disease.

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