Also known as thromboangiitis obliterans, Buerger disease is a rare type of peripheral arterial disease that involves inflammation of the smaller and midsize arteries in the extremities. It is a progressive condition associated almost exclusively with tobacco use (smoking or smokeless tobacco), especially among young men. As it worsens, people tend to feel increasing pain in their legs (claudication), particularly after exertion.

Unless people are very careful to keep their hands and feet warm in the cold and to exercise the affected area of their body, severe cases can lead to tissue death (necrosis) and amputation. The disease is extremely rare among nonsmokers. The only known treatment is to quit smoking, after which patients can expect dramatic improvement if irreparable harm has not already occurred.