Condition Specific Radiology: Buerger Disease (Thromboangiitis Obliterans)

OVERVIEW

This page is dedicated to covering how the condition Buerger disease (thromboangiitis obliterans) will appear on different types of radiological imaging studies. This condition is a medium/small vessel arteritis that predominantly is seen in young male smokers. It can cause obstruction of the involved vessels resulting in ischemia.

The consequence of Buerger’s disease can be tissue ischemia as depicted above (image source).
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS

Below are some characteristics that are fundamental to Buerger disease and may appear on various imaging studies

  • Corkscrew/collateral vessels: while not pathognomonic, these are characteristic of this condition.
  • Arterial occlusion 
  • Involvement of primarily lower limbs
  • Multi-limb involvement 
ANGIOGRAM (X-RAY)

The following gallery shows examples of Buerger disease seen on X-ray angiograms. Click the thumbnails below to open up the gallery.

DIGITAL SUBTRACTION ANGIOGRAPHY (DSA)

The following gallery shows examples of Buerger disease seen on DSA studies. Click the thumbnails below to open up the gallery.

MAGNETIC REASONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY (MRA)

The following gallery shows examples of Buerger disease seen on MRA studies. Click the thumbnails below to open up the gallery.

 

Page Updated: 06.13.2017