Chronic, nonspecific, postinfectious, retroperitoneal fibrosis and ureteral obstruction.
BACKGROUND
Two cases of severe ureteral obstruction following nonspecific, postinfectious, chronic retroperitoneal fibrosis are described, which both originated by a primitive intestinal pathology.


METHODS
This complication was observed in two women: first, 65 years old, submitted for ulcerative colitis to a total proctocolectomy, with ileo-pouch-anal anastomosis, complicated by an anastomotic fistula; and second, 66 years old, operated with an extended left hemicolectomy, for an adenocarcinoma of the recto-sigmoid colon complicated with a vaginal fistula. In these cases, computerized tomography demonstrated a unilateral hydronephrosis, secondary to a complete obstruction of the ureter; a subsequent nephro-ureterectomy became necessary. Histology demonstrated nonspecific inflammatory lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Postinfectious, chronic inflammation of the retroperitoneum acts on the ureteral and peri-ureteral tissues, inducing an inflammatory and then a fibrotic process.


CONCLUSIONS
We underline the opportunity of a precocious and radical treatment of every retroperitoneal infection.
Department of Urology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena - Italy.
Angelo
A
Territo
Department of Urology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena - Italy.
Salvatore
S
Micali
Department of General Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena - Italy.
Antonio
A
Manenti
Department of Urology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena - Italy.
Eugenio
E
Martorana
Department of Urology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena - Italy.
Giacomo Maria
GM
Pirola
Department of Urology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena - Italy.
Giampaolo
G
Bianchi
D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications; D012185:Retroperitoneal Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery