Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans): an analysis of the arteriograms of 119 cases.

One hundred and forty-four lower extremity arteriograms of 119 patients with Buerger's disease have been analysed. The 'corkscrew' appearance of collateral circulation was seen in 27.1% of 144 limbs affected by thromboangiitis obliterans, but in only 3.2% of 63 limbs affected by arteriosclerosis obliterans. We believe that the corkscrew vessel is highly characteristic of Buerger's disease and represents dilated vasa vasorum of the occluded main artery. The appearance of corkscrew vessels extending from the arterial occlusion sites to the periphery of the feet without opacification of the main pedal arteries indicated a poor prognosis.