Buerger's Disease in Fingers

Buerger's disease in fingers. Buerger's disease, or thromboangiitis obliterans. Arteries become inflamed and obstructed for an unknown reason. This first leads to superficial thrombophlebitis and pain that becomes constant; later, acral necrosis develops. Usually, the patient is a smoking male and symptoms begin before the age of 40 years. Large vessels in the heart and brain are spared from thromboses in this disease.

Picture: Raimo Suhonen; text: Karoliina Halmesmäki