Ischemic Colitis in Buerger’s Disease: Case Presentation and Review

Abstract

Buerger's disease is a type of vasculitis that predominantly affects small to medium arteries and the veins of the upper and lower extremities. Intestinal vessels are rarely involved. This is a case report of a 38-year-old male, smoker, with known Buerger's disease who was found to have ischemic colitis of the sigmoid colon on biopsy and inferior mesenteric artery occlusion on computed tomography (CT) angiography. Intestinal ischemia is a rare complication in Buerger's disease. Patients may present with vague abdominal symptoms. Given the very low incidence of intestinal involvement, social history and clinical correlation are of chief importance for early detection. Smoking cessation is paramount, as it is the mainstay treatment of the underlying disease.