Thrombo-Angiitis Obliterans

Abstract

Thrombo-angiitis obliterans is an organic disease which involves the arteries and veins. It is inflammatory in nature and usually involves the peripheral vessels. Vasospasm secondary to the organic process is a characteristic feature of the disease.

Von Winnwater originally described this condition in 1879 and termed it endarteritis obliterans. In 1908 Leo Buerger¹ gave a more accurate description of the disease and called it thrombo-angiitis obliterans. Dr. Buerger's work initiated further study by numerous investigators, but up to the present time the etiology has not been determined. Many believe that Buerger's disease is a specific inflammatory process which is the result of some bacterial or virus invasion. Conclusive proof of this contention has not been demonstrated. The difficulties involved in making experimental studies on patients with this disease are obvious.

Thrombo-angiitis obliterans is one of the most destructive of all peripheral vascular diseases. Because it occurs in young individuals and may result in a physical handicap, an early diagnosis is of extreme importance. If the diagnosis is made early and proper treatment instituted, the course of the disease may be checked. If the patient is seen too late or if the diagnosis is delayed, surgical removal of the limb may be the only form of treatment available.

Diagnosis: Thrombo-angiitis obliterans should not be difficult to diagnose if several distinguishing and characteristic features are remembered. The disease occurs almost exclusively in young men, and the ratio of men and women is thought to be at least 75 to 1. The age. . .