Buerger's disease. Light micrograph of a blood vessel in Buerger's disease. Also known as thromboangiitis obliterans and presenile gangrene, this disease causes progressive recurring inflammation and thrombosis (clotting) in arteries and veins in the hands and feet. Inflammation in this blood vessel has resulted in a clot (centre) almost blocking the lumen (central space). This reduces blood flow and can result in gangrene in the tissues supplied by the affected blood vessels. It is strongly associated with smoking.