title: Retroperitoneal fibrosis.
abstract: Retroperitoneal fibrosis encompasses a range of diseases characterised by the presence of a fibro-inflammatory tissue, which usually surrounds the abdominal aorta and the iliac arteries and extends into the retroperitoneum to envelop neighbouring structures--eg, ureters. Retroperitoneal fibrosis is generally idiopathic, but can also be secondary to the use of certain drugs, malignant diseases, infections, and surgery. Idiopathic disease was thought to result from a local inflammatory reaction to antigens in the atherosclerotic plaques of the abdominal aorta, but clinicolaboratory findings--namely, the presence of constitutional symptoms and the high concentrations of acute-phase reactants--and the frequent association of the disease with autoimmune diseases that involve other organs suggest that it might be a manifestation of a systemic autoimmune or inflammatory disease. Steroids are normally used to treat idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis, although other options--eg, immunosuppressants, tamoxifen--are available. The outlook is usually good, but, if not appropriately diagnosed or treated, the disease can cause severe complications, such as end-stage renal failure. Here, we review the different aspects of retroperitoneal fibrosis, focusing on idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis and on the differential diagnosis associated with the secondary forms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Nephrology and Health Science, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43100 Parma, Italy. augusto.vaglio@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaglio
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salvarani
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buzio
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012185:Retroperitoneal Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones