title: [Congenital arteriopathies and Leo Buerger's disease].
abstract: A homogenous series of 7 consecutive cases of Buerger's disease were investigated and the congenital malformations of the upper and lower limb arterial trunks were classified. These malformations constitute the anatomical basis of Buerger's disease and define an autonomous disease entity. Total supra-malleolar interruption of the main lower limb arteries either by triple vessel agenesis or, more rarely, by femoro-popliteal or popliteal and tibio-peronal agenesis was observed. The appearances  of the collateral circulation, already established in utero, are characteristic with long axial spiral-shaped arteries and dependant arterioles maintaining a precarious supply to the distal tissues which may be adequate for many years. The nautral history of the disease is directly related to the malformation of the congenital arterial system of the limbs. Proximal arterial malformative occlusion is the cause of early, inevitable trophic lesions; the spiral-shaped arteries and distal arterioles, which represent the maximal embryonic collateral circulation, limit the area of necrosis and favour healing.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography; D001158:Arteries / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005121:Extremities / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013919:Thromboangiitis Obliterans / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*
vernacular_title: Artériopathies congénitales et maladie de Leo Buerger.