title: Retroperitoneal fibrosis associated with membranous nephropathy effectively treated with steroids.
abstract: Corticosteroids were successfully used to treat a 66-year-old man with retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) and previously diagnosed membranous nephropathy. Proteinuria was noted at the age of 51 years, and membranous nephropathy was diagnosed by renal biopsy. Ten years later, he presented with right hydronephrosis and renal dysfunction, and was diagnosed as having RPF based on the typical diagnostic imaging findings. Steroid therapy was successful, resulting in improvement of the hydronephrosis and renal function. The hydronephrosis recurred three years later, but corticosteroids were again effective in improving ureteral obstruction. This was a rare case of recurrent RPF with membranous nephropathy in which steroid therapy was effective in treating pleural effusion and hypergammaglobulinemia during the clinical course. This case suggests that an immunological disorder is involved in the pathogenesis of RPF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine IV, Tokyo Women's Medical University.
authors.forename: Satsuki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shirota
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsuchiya
authors.forename: Mikiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takada
authors.forename: Masami
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Komeda
authors.forename: Kiyotsugu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oomae
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Wako
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yumura
authors.forename: Kosaku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nitta
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nihei
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015433:Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D012185:Retroperitoneal Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011239:Prednisolone