title: Tumor-forming idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis: report of a case.
abstract: Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRF) is characterized by the progressive proliferation of connective tissue, but it rarely results in the formation of a mass. Herein, we report a rare case of tumor-forming IRF. A 76-year-old woman was referred to our hospital after a tumor in the right retroperitoneum was found by ultrasonography and computed tomography. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 5 x 8 x 5-cm irregularly shaped tumor, lying adjacent to the right kidney, with a high-intensity T1-weighted image and a high-intensity T2-weighted image. Hormonal levels were within normal limits. Surgery was performed because of the possibility of an adrenal cancer. The tumor was firm, measured 7 x 8 x 4 cm, and weighed 115 g. The pathological diagnosis was retroperitoneal fibrosis. It is very difficult to distinguish tumor-forming IRF from malignancy. Several examinations, including needle aspiration cytology and biopsy, are necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takashima
authors.forename: Naoyoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Onoda
authors.forename: Tetsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koyama
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inaba
authors.forename: Yoshiki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishizawa
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakatani
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wakasa
authors.forename: Kosei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirakawa
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012185:Retroperitoneal Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography