 Thromboangiitis obliterans
Definition Alternative Names Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests Treatment Support Groups Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention References DefinitionThromboangiitis obliterans is a rare disease in which blood vessels of the hands and feet become blocked. Alternative NamesBuerger's disease Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease) is caused by vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels). The blood vessels of the hands and feet are especially affected. They tighten or become totally blocked. This reduces blood flow to the tissues of the hands and feet, which leads to pain and then damage. Thromboangiitis obliterans affects about 6 of every 10,000 people. It mostly affects men ages 20 to 40 who have a history of smoking or chewing tobacco. Only 1 out of 10 patients are women. The condition may also be related to a history of Raynaud's disease. This disorder is very uncommon in children, but it may occur in children with autoimmune diseases. Symptoms- Hands or feet may be pale, red, or bluish
- Hands or feet may feel cold
- Pain in the hands and feet
- Acute, severe
- Burning or tingling
- Often occurring at rest
- Pain in the legs, ankles, or feet when walking (intermittent claudication)
- Often located in the arch of the foot
- Skin changes or ulcers on hands or feet
Note: Symptoms may worsen with exposure to cold or with emotional stress. Usually, two or more limbs are affected. Signs and testsThe hands or feet may have large, red, tender blood vessels. The pulse in the affected hands or feet may be low or missing. The following tests may show blockage of blood vessels in the affected hands or feet: Blood tests for other causes of vasculitis and inflammation may be done. Rarely, in cases where the diagnosis is unclear, a biopsy of the blood vessel is done. TreatmentThere is no cure for thromboangiitis obliterans. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms. To prevent amputation, the patient must stop using tobacco and should avoid cold temperatures and other conditions that reduce circulation to the hands and feet. Applying warmth and exercising gently may help increase circulation. Cutting the nerves to the area (surgical sympathectomy) may help control pain. Aspirin and vasodilators may also used. It may be necessary to amputate the hand or foot if infection or widespread tissue death occurs. Support GroupsSymptoms of thromboangiitis obliterans may disappear if the person stops tobacco use. For some, amputation is unavoidable. Complications- Amputation
- Gangrene (tissue death)
- Loss of circulation beyond the affected hand or foot
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if: - You have symptoms of thromboangiitis obliterans
- You have thromboangiitis obliterans and symptoms get worse, even with treatment
- You develop new symptoms
PreventionThose with a history of Raynaud's disease or thromboangiitis obliterans should avoid all tobacco use. ReferencesOlin JW. Other peripheral arterial diseases. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 80. Physician ReferenceInternational Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD9)443.1
Review Date: 11/5/2010
Reviewed By: Ariel D. Teitel, MD, MBA, Chief, Division of Rheumatology, St. Vincent's Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by Verimed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
|