Buerger disease (thromboangiitis obliterans).

Area of Science:

• Vascular Medicine
• Immunology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Buerger disease is a rare, nonatherosclerotic vasculitis.
• It is strongly associated with substantial tobacco exposure.
• The condition primarily affects small and medium-sized arteries in the extremities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical presentation and diagnostic criteria for Buerger disease.
• To outline the diagnostic work-up for suspected cases.
• To discuss current management strategies, including medical therapy and revascularization.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical features.
• Description of diagnostic evaluation, including noninvasive arterial studies and angiography.
• Discussion of management options.

Main Results:

• Buerger disease presents with characteristic clinical features affecting peripheral arteries.
• Diagnostic work-up involves specific noninvasive and angiographic findings.
• Smoking cessation is the cornerstone of management, supplemented by medical therapy and potential revascularization.

Conclusions:

• Clinicians managing peripheral arterial disease must recognize Buerger disease.
• Accurate diagnosis relies on clinical presentation and specific imaging findings.
• Comprehensive management involves aggressive smoking cessation and tailored therapeutic interventions.