Buerger's disease

Buerger's disease is a non-atherosclerotic vasculitis resulting in segmental occlusions of small and medium-sized arteries.

Highest incidence is in young men of southeast Mediterranean origin and of Middle and Far Eastern origin who smoke.

Presents as an acutely ischaemic limb, more commonly affecting the lower limb. Claudication is rarely described.

Laboratory investigations exclude other vascular disease. Appropriate imaging shows medium and small vessel occlusion. Histological analysis of arterial specimens shows preservation of the internal elastic lamina.

Best outcomes are associated with smoking cessation.

Life expectancy is not altered.

Buerger's disease is a non-atherosclerotic vasculitis resulting in segmental occlusions of small and medium-sized arteries, commonly affecting the lower limbs of young men who smoke. A hypercellular thrombus fills the lumen. Patients usually present with rest pain or tissue loss, and rarely present with claudication. Also known as thromboangiitis obliterans.