Buerger disease

Most commonly affects the extremities; signs and symptoms typically begin distally and move proximally.

Ischemia from vessel occlusion often produces numbness, coldness, or tingling in the extremities, with claudication, then, pain at rest.

Affected limbs are often cold, sweaty, and cyanotic, and ulcers form that progress to gangrenous.

Smoking/Management

Smoking is a major cause of Buerger disease, and smoking cessation is key to remission.

Histopathology

Histopathology reveals neutrophil infiltration and granulomatous formation resulting in vessel occlusion with relative sparing of the vessel wall.

Arteriography may show a classic "corkscrew" appearance. See: Corkscrew Collaterals in Thromboangitis Obliterans (Buerger's Disease).