Buerger's disease in two brothers: iliac artery occlusion by thromboangiitis obliterans--case reports.

Several characteristics of thromboangiitis obliterans are unique and confirm the existence of the disease as a distinct pathological entity. Its predilection for young smoking males, peripheral type of vascular involvement, recurrences of superficial thrombophlebites, and typical histolopathology form the principals of the disease although the etiology remains unknown. The authors report the unusual finding of Buerger's disease occurring in two brothers, one of whom had occlusion of the left external iliac and femoral arteries. All other clinical characteristics of these two cases were typical for thromboangiitis obliterans. Presentation of some peculiarities of the disease, particularly the lack of familial association, may help to unravel the pathogenesis of thromboangiitis obliterans.