Thromboangiitis obliterans is a rare disease in which blood vessels of the hands and feet become obstructed.
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, becoming constricted or totally blocked. This reduces blood flow to the hand and foot tissues, resulting in pain and eventually damage.
Thromboangiitis obliterans affects about 6 of every 10,000 people. It almost always affects men ages 20 to 40 who have a history of smoking or chewing tobacco.
The condition may also be associated with a history of Raynaud's disease.
This disorder is very uncommon in children, but may occur in those with autoimmune diseases.
SymptomsNote: 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 show enlarged, red, tender blood vessels. The pulse in the affected hands or feet may be low or absent.
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. Amputation of the extremity may be necessary if infection or extensive tissue death occurs.
Expectations (prognosis)Symptoms of thromboangiitis obliterans may disappear if the person stops tobacco use. For some, amputation is unavoidable.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if you have symptoms of thromboangiitis obliterans, if you have thromboangiitis obliterans and symptoms get worse despite treatment, or if new symptoms develop.
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.
Thromboangiitis 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. The average age when symptoms begin is around 35 years. Woman and older adults are affected less often.
Thromboangiitis obliterans mostly affects men ages 20 to 40 who have a history of heavy 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.
SymptomsNote: 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.
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.
Expectations (prognosis)Symptoms of thromboangiitis obliterans may disappear if the person stops tobacco use. For some, amputation is unavoidable.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if:
Those 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.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 03/18/2011
A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Ariel D. Teitel, MD, MBA, Chief, Division of Rheumatology, St. Vincent's Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by Verimed Healthcare Network (11/5/2010).
You see a doctor and they diagnose you. Seriously, the internet is not the place for internet diagnoses.
It can cause Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger's Disease).
Also described as isolated cerebral thromboangiitis obliterans, Spatz-Lindenberg disease, is associated with though not well recognized as a cause of vascular dementia.
Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO)-- A chronic, progressive, hardening skin inflammation of the penis.
It is thought that Thromoboangitis Obliterans is an autoimmune disease. It as originally noted in 1879 by von Winiwarter, who was a scientist and doctor.
Yes, "boop" is a word commonly used to describe a gentle tap or touch. It is often associated with playfulness or affection, such as when booping someone's nose.
Diseases can be divided into four main types:- pathogenic- deficiency- hereditary- physiologicalAtwaroo-Ali, Linda, 2003. Macmillan CXC Science Series Biology. Oxford: Macmillan Education
A. M. Boyd has written: 'The surgery of hypertension' -- subject(s): Surgery, Hypertension 'Oral dibenyline in distal senile obliterative arteritis' -- subject(s): Arteriosclerosis obliterans 'Supportive therapy' -- subject(s): Physical therapy, Shock, Dextran
Buerger's disease (aka - thromboangitis obliterans), is a very rare disease of the arteries and veins in the arms and legs. Essentially, clots form in the blood vessels which impairs blood flow and eventually damages tissues, leading to infection/gangrene. Virtually every patient who has this ailment is a smoker.
Viggo Hansteen has written: 'Vasodilator drugs in the treatment of peripheral arterial insufficiency' -- subject(s): Adverse effects, Arterial Occlusive Diseases, Arteriosclerosis obliterans, Blood supply, Drug therapy, Foot, Intermittent claudication, Ischemia, Peripheral vascular diseases, Pharmacology, Vasodilator Agents, Vasodilators
Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is an inflammation of the bronchioles and surrounding tissue in the lungs. BOOP may affect small areas of the lungs or the entire lung. * Bronchiolitis means inflammation of the bronchioles.* Obliterans refers to the fact that the inflammation of the bronchioles partially obliterates the airways. The pneumonia isn't infectious, but it is due to inflammation of the lung tissue around the inflamed bronchioles. Known causes of BOOP are: * Certain medications * Radiation therapy * Organ and tissue transplantation * Some connective tissue disorders, such as lupus People with BOOP may or may not experience signs and symptoms. However, it can be detected on chest x-rays. If symptoms are present, they usually develop over several weeks and typically include shortness of breath and fever. http://lungdiseases.about.com/od/termsdefinitions/f/what_is_boop.htm
This is a serious sign of either infections or other conditions. Consult a doctor at once. Here is a small list of causes:Acute intermittent porphyria* Hunner's ulcer* Bladder stone, urinary* Ectopic pregnancy* Functional disorders* Arsenic trioxide* Cystocoele* Bladder cancer* Balanitis xerotica obliterans* Arsenicals