Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Thromboangiitis obliterans

Table of Contents

Definition

Thromboangiitis obliterans is a rare disease in which blood vessels of the hands and feet become blocked.


Alternative Names

Buerger's disease


Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Thromboangiitis 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.



Review Date: 11/05/2010
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.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)