Diagnosis
A concrete diagnosis of thromboangiitis obliterans is often difficult as it relies heavily on exclusion of other conditions. The commonly followed diagnostic criteria are outlined below although the criteria tend to differ slightly from author to author. Olin (2000) proposes the following criteria:
Typically between 20 and 40 years old and male, although recently females have been diagnosed. Current (or recent) history of tobacco use. Presence of distal extremity ischemia (indicated by claudication, pain at rest, ischemic ulcers or gangrene) documented by noninvasive vascular testing such as ultrasound. Exclusion of other autoimmune diseases, hypercoagulable states, and diabetes mellitus by laboratory tests. Exclusion of a proximal source of emboli by echocardiography and arteriography. Consistent arteriographic findings in the clinically involved and noninvolved limbs.Buergers disease can be mimicked by a wide variety of other diseases that cause diminished blood flow to the extremities. These other disorders must be ruled out with an aggressive evaluation, because their treatments differ substantially from that of Buergers disease, for which there is no treatment known to be effective.Some diseases with which Buergers disease may be confused include atherosclerosis (build-up of cholesterol plaques in the arteries), endocarditis (an infection of the lining of the heart), other types of vasculitis, severe Raynauds phenomenon associated with connective tissue disorders (e.g., lupus or scleroderma), clotting disorders or the production of clots in the blood.Angiograms of the upper and lower extremities can be helpful in making the diagnosis of Buergers disease. In the proper clinical setting, certain angiographic findings are diagnostic of Buergers.
: 17 Effeminacy or a lack of discipline in managing ones sexual attraction to another male threatened a mans "Roman-ness" and thus might be disparaged as "Eastern" or "Greek". Fears that Greek models might "corrupt" traditional Roman social codes (the mos maiorum) seem to have prompted a vaguely documented law (Lex Scantinia) that attempted to regulate aspects of homosexual relationships between freeborn males and to protect Roman youth from older men emulating Greek customs of pederasty. : 27  Theologian Edith Humphrey commented that "the Graeco-Roman ideal regarding homosexuality entailed erotic love, not of children, but of young (teenage) males of the same age that a young woman would be given in marriage, and that frequently the more mature male was only slightly older than the partner." Modern view
In the modern world, an adult engaging in sexual activity with a minor may be considered child sexual abuse or statutory rape, depending upon the local age of consent. Age of consent laws exist because minors are considered incapable of meaningfully consenting to sexual activity until they reach a certain age. Prepubescent and adolescent children are not socially equal to adults, and abusers emotionally manipulate the children they victimize.