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Thromboangiitis obliterans commonly develops in people who smoke.
Symptoms are those of reduced blood flow to an extremity: coldness, numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation.
Ultrasound is often used to detect decreased blood flow in the affected extremity.
Stopping smoking is the most important part of treatment.
People may also need to take medications.
Thromboangiitis obliterans is a rare type of occlusive peripheral artery disease that usually develops in people who smoke, most commonly in men aged 30 to 45 years.
How cigarette smoking relates to thromboangiitis obliterans is poorly understood, and what causes the disease is unknown. One theory is that smoking triggers inflammation and narrowing (constriction) of arteries. However, only a small number of people who smoke develop thromboangiitis obliterans. Some people may be more susceptible than others for as yet unknown reasons. Another theory is that it is caused by the body's own immune system. Regardless of the cause, thromboangiitis obliterans invariably worsens in people who continue to smoke, and amputation is commonly required. In contrast, if people with thromboangiitis obliterans quit smoking, amputation is rarely required.
Symptoms of Thromboangiitis Obliterans
Usually, symptoms of a reduced blood supply to the arms or legs develop gradually. Symptoms include:
Coldness
Numbness
Tingling or burning sensation
Pain
These abnormal sensations start at the fingertips or toes and progress up the legs or arms. The legs are affected more often than the arms. People may feel abnormal sensations before their doctor sees any skin changes indicating an inadequate blood supply (ischemia) or gangrene. Raynaud syndrome and muscle discomfort during exertion (intermittent claudication) may develop. Cramps occur in the calf muscles or feet if the legs are affected and in the hands or forearms if the arms are affected.
As the disease progresses, cramps become more painful and last longer. Late in the disease, skin ulcers, gangrene, or both may appear, usually on one or more toes or fingers. The foot or hand feels cold and may turn bluish or grayish (cyanosis), probably because blood flow is greatly reduced.
Some people with thromboangiitis obliterans also have episodes of inflammation in the veins (migratory phlebitis), usually in the superficial veins.
Diagnosis of Thromboangiitis Obliterans
A doctor's examination and evaluation of symptoms
Angiography
Blood testing
Echocardiography (heart ultrasound)
Usually, doctors suspect thromboangiitis obliterans on the basis of symptoms and results of the physical examination. In most people, the pulse is weak or absent in one or more arteries of the feet or wrists. Often, the affected hands, feet, fingers, or toes become pale or grey when raised above the heart and red or darker than usual when lowered. Ultrasound detects a substantial decrease in blood pressure and blood flow in the affected feet, toes, hands, and fingers. Blood tests and imaging to exclude other causes of decreased blood flow (such as vessel inflammation or vasculitis and blood clots from the heart) are done.
Angiography can detect specific patterns of narrowing and thus can help confirm the diagnosis.
Sometimes a biopsy (removal of a tissue sample for examination under a microscope) of the affected artery or referral to a specialist is needed to confirm the diagnosis of thromboangiitis obliterans.
Treatment of Thromboangiitis Obliterans
Stopping smoking
Sometimes medications or surgery
Stopping smoking immediately is essential, or symptoms will relentlessly worsen. Amputation is then likely to become necessary.
Avoiding exposure to cold, which causes blood vessels to narrow (constrict) is helpful.
Avoiding certain drugs and medications is also helpful. Drugs and medications to avoid include those that cause blood vessels to constrict (such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylephrine, which are components of some sinus congestion and cold remedies), is also helpful. Drugs and medications to avoid include those that cause blood vessels to constrict (such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylephrine, which are components of some sinus congestion and cold remedies),cocaine and amphetamines, and those that increase the tendency of blood to clot (such as estrogen in birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy).
Preventing injury to the affected leg or arm is important. People should take care to avoid burns and injuries due to cold or minor surgery (such as trimming calluses). Corns and calluses should be treated by a podiatrist. Wearing shoes that fit well and have wide toe spaces can help prevent injury to the feet.
Medications, that dilate blood vessels, prostacyclins, may help heal ulcers and reduce pain in people who quit smoking but still have blocked arteries. Other medications, such as phosphodiesterase inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, thromboxane inhibitors, and endothelin inhibitors, may be tried to help open blood vessels, but their effectiveness is unclear.
Revascularization procedures, which help open up the blocked blood vessels and allow more blood flow, may be done.
Surgery may be done to cut certain nearby nerves (a procedure called sympathectomy) and prevent blood vessels from constricting. These procedures are seldom done because they usually improve blood flow only temporarily.
More Information
The following English-language resources may be useful. Please note that The Manual is not responsible for the content of these resources.
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