home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
CD-ROM Today (UK) (Spanish) 15
/
CDRT.iso
/
dp
/
0354
/
03548.txt
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-01-17
|
8KB
|
181 lines
$Unique_ID{BRK03548}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Buerger's Disease}
$Subject{Buerger's Disease Thromboangiitis Obliterans Occlusive Peripheral
Vascular Disease Inflammatory Occlusive Peripheral Vascular Disease Wegener's
Granulomatosis Vasculitis Arteritis Giant Cell Polyarteritis Nodosa Takayasu
Arteritis}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
712:
Buerger's Disease
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Buerger's Disease) is
not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Thromboangiitis Obliterans
Occlusive Peripheral Vascular Disease
Inflammatory Occlusive Peripheral Vascular Disease
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Wegener's Granulomatosis
Vasculitis
Arteritis, Giant Cell
Polyarteritis Nodosa
Takayasu Arteritis
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Buerger's Disease is a very rare disorder which usually affects young
male cigarette smokers. It is characterized by coldness and color changes in
the hands and feet, excruciating pain in the affected areas of the body, loss
of feeling, ulceration of the skin, and possibly gangrene.
Symptoms
Buerger's Disease is a disease of the intermediate and small sized arteries
as well as veins. It is almost always associated with blood clots in the
veins accompanied by chronic inflammation. However, it rarely affect the
arteries and veins supplying blood to the body's major organs and the brain.
This disorder causes excruciating pain in the affected area. The pain
may be accompanied by coldness and change in the color of the extremities
(Raynaud's Phenomena), and excessive accumulation of blood in one area in the
body. In severe cases there may also be ulceration of the skin and gangrene
in the affected area. (For more information, choose "Raynaud" as your search
term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Buerger's disease tends to occur in acute attacks that may last from one
to four weeks. The disorder runs a recurrent course. As the disease
progresses blood circulation to the affected area may stop completely.
Insufficient blood supply to the upper and lower extremities may lead to
gangrene.
Causes
The exact cause of Buerger's Disease is unknown. However, the use of tobacco
makes the disease much worse. The disease is most often seen in heavy male
smokers of Jewish or Oriental descent, but it has occurred in non-smokers
also.
Affected Population
Buerger's Disease affects males more often than females. In the United
States the highest incidence has been reported in young men of Jewish
heritage who smoke. The second highest incidence is in young Oriental men
who smoke. Buerger's Disease is very rare in the United States, but more
common in other parts of the world. Less the 100 cases in females have been
reported world wide.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Buerger's
Disease. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Wegener's Granulomatosis is a collagen vascular disorder that begins in
the upper respiratory tract and mimics the symptoms of a cold. Other
symptoms may include malaise, loss of appetite and joint pain. Eye problems
may develop and after weeks or months vascular symptoms develop. (For more
information on this disorder, choose "Wegener" as your search term in the
Rare Disease Database).
Vasculitis is a common disorder characterized by an inflammation of the
blood vessel walls. The disease causes a narrowing of the vessels and
obstructs the flow of blood to the tissues. The lack of blood causes tissue
damage and the formation of blood clots. All sizes of arteries and veins may
be affected. Symptoms include flu-like characteristics, skin involvement,
kidney and eye problems. (For more information on this disorder, choose
"Vasculitis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).
Giant Cell Arteritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the branches of
the aortic arch. This disorder is found principally in the temporal and
occipital arteries, but may develop in almost any of the large arteries. It
rarely involves the veins. Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis may exhibit
flu-like symptoms with low grade fever, malaise, loss of appetite, weakness
and weight loss. There may be insufficient blood supply to the upper and
lower extremities. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Giant
Cell Arteritis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).
Polyarteritis Nodosa affects the small and medium sized arteries causing
narrowing of the vessels. This may result in a lack of blood supply to the
tissues, blood clots, and weakening of the vessel walls. Joint, muscle,
abdominal and testicular pain may occur. The patient may have flu-symptoms
and high blood pressure. Kidneys, skin and gastrointestinal problems may
also occur. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Polyarteritis"
as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).
Takayasu Arteritis (Aortic Arch Syndrome) is an inflammation of the walls
of large and mid-sized arteries followed by fibrosis and thickening. It
affects mainly women. (For more information on this disorder, choose
"Takayasu" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of Buerger's Disease is primarily to stop smoking which can improve
blood circulation. Pentoxifylline, calcium blockers, thromboxane inhibitors,
and epoprostenol may relieve symptoms. If skin ulcerations occur they should
be treated immediately. In general, surgery for Buerger's Disease can be
attempted for relief of pain, but does not alter the course of the disease.
Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
Therapies: Investigational
Revascularization is a type of experimental surgery being investigated as a
treatment for Buerger's Disease. This type of surgery on veins and arteries
may enhance blood circulation if combined with drug therapy (urokinase, PGE1
and heparin), but more research is necessary to determine it's safety and
long-term effectiveness for Burger's Disease patients.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
December 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Buerger's Disease, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-4236
References
INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown and
Co., 1987. Pp. 543.
FATE OF THE ISCHAEMIC LIMB IN BUERGER'S DISEASE, T. Ohta, et al.; Br J
Surg (March, 1988, issue 75 (3)). Pp. 259-262.
THROMBOANGIITIS OBLITERANS WITH EOSINOPHILIA (BUERGER'S DISEASE) OF THE
TEMPORAL ARTERIES. J.T. Lie, et al.; Hum Pathol (May, 1988, issue 19 (5)).
Pp. 598-602.
THROMBOANGIITIS OBLITERANS (BUERGER'S DISEASE) IN A SAPHENOUS VEIN
ARTERAIL GRAFT. J.T. Lie Hum Pathol (April, 1987, issue 18 (4)). Pp. 402-
404.