Performance of noninvasive laser Doppler flowmetry and laser speckle contrast imaging methods in diagnosis of Buerger disease

Abstract

Buerger disease (BD) is a nonatherosclerotic, inflammatory, segmental vascular occlusive disease, which affects small and medium-sized arteries and veins and is triggered by substantial tobacco exposure. Angiographic findings consistent with BD are required for diagnosis. Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) could represent potential noninvasive alternative techniques to angiography. We report the case of a 49-year-old smoker who developed an ischemic ulcer in the distal segment of the second finger of the left hand. He had no medical history. In our vascular center, LDF and LSCI are conducted routinely for digital artery disease diagnosis. LDF was indicative of digital obstructive artery disease (DOAD). Postocclusive reactive hyperemia, assessed by LCSI, demonstrated no skin blood flow (SBF) perfusion in the distal phalanx of the thumb, index, middle, and auricular fingers. Angiography confirmed BD, showing distally located multisegmental vessel occlusion and corkscrew collaterals in this patient's hands. Ilomedine treatment was initiated and smoking cessation was definitive. Recently, the patient had an improvement in clinical condition despite the persistence of a small zone of necrosis of the left index finger 28 days post-treatment. Our observation suggests that where suspicion of BD is based on clinical criteria, combining LDF and LSCI could represent a noninvasive, safe means of reaching BD diagnosis. Further clinical trials are necessary to confirm this novel observation.