Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans): clinical features and assessment by colour duplex ultrasound

Buerger's disease is a progressive, nonatherosclerotic, segmental inflammatory vasoocclusive disease of unknown aetiology (1) (–) (9) , affecting the small and medium sized arteries, veins and nerves and is often bilateral (5) (–) (7) . The normal structure of the vessel wall is usually preserved, including the internal elastic lamina and media. Buerger's disease predominantly affects male cigarette smokers (1) (–) (3) (,) (8) with 11%–23% of disease distribution in females (6) (–) (7) . Buerger's disease remains largely a clinicopathologic entity highlighting the importance of the sonographer's role to obtain a comprehensive clinical history and clinical examination. The combination of clinical assessment and the distinctive appearance of vessels affected by Bueger's disease on colour duplex ultrasound provide a useful tool for correct diagnosis.