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Buerger' s Disease
Medical Questions » Buerger' s Disease
| Name: Buerger' s Disease |
| Also known as: Smoker' s Foot; Thromboangiitis Obliterans |
| Abnormal blood clot formation associated with inflammation and obliteration of arteries resulting in the progressive loss of fingers, toes, then arms and legs. |
Causes of Buerger' s Disease
Occurs only in smokers, and nearly always in men. Toxins in tobacco smoke cause inflammation in sections of the small arteries in the hands and feet which causes a clot to form in the artery, and the tissue beyond the blockage becomes painful, white and eventually gangrenous. Starts in the fingers and toes, and slowly moves further up the arteries in the arms and legs. |
Symptoms of Buerger' s Disease
Initially pain in the foot when walking, which settles with rest. Red tender cords caused by clot filled (thrombosed) arteries may be felt under the skin, and a finger or toe may be white and have reduced sensation. The next stage is characterized by pain at rest, loss of pulses in the hands and feet and ulcers around the nails. Gold weather aggravates symptoms. Further progression results in gangrene. |
Tests for Buerger' s Disease
Ultrasound (Doppler) tests on involved arteries shows reduced or absent blood flow. |
Treatment for Buerger' s Disease
Try to stop patient from smoking, but they are far more addicted than the average smoker, and rarely succeed. Surgery to the nerves supplying the arteries to make them totally relax may be tried, but amputation of affected tissue is usually necessary. A limb may eventually be totally amputated, but often over several operations as each successive area becomes deprived of blood.
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Complications of Buerger' s Disease of its treatment
Blood clots may form in vital organs, permanently damaging them. |
Likely Outcome of Buerger' s Disease
Poor, and usually slowly progresses to death unless the patient can stop smoking. |
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