Intestinal ischemia resulting from Buerger's disease: Report of a case

A 42-year-old man who had undergone below-the-knee amputations for Buerger's disease 9 and 14 years earlier required emergency surgery for intestinal ischemia caused by arterial occlusive lesions in the mesentery. The cecum and proximal part of the ascending colon were resected, and marked hyperemic thickening of the wall and severe fibrous adhesions were found. Postoperative angiography revealed occlusions in the superior mesenteric and right external iliac arteries. The resected specimen showed mucosal necrosis of the cecum and circular ulcers at Bauhin's valve and at the ascending colon. Microscopically, small mesenteric vessels were occluded by organized and recanalized thrombi with preserved vascular architecture. The patient has remained free of any further intestinal symptoms for 1 year following his discharge from hospital.