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Retroperitoneal fibrosis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis; Ormond's disease

Symptoms:

Early symptoms:

Dull pain in the abdomen that increases with time
Pain and change of color in the legs (due to decreased blood flow)
Swelling of one leg

Later symptoms:

Decreased urine output
No urine output (anuria)
Nausea, vomiting, changes in thinking caused by kidney failure and build-up of toxic chemicals in the blood
Severe abdominal pain with hemorrhaging (due to death of intestinal tissue)

Signs and tests:

Abdominal CT scan is the best method to reveal a retroperitoneal mass.

Other tests that can help diagnose this condition include:

BUN and creatinine blood tests
Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
Kidney ultrasound
MRI of the abdomen

A biopsy of the mass may also be done to rule out cancer.

Male urinary system

Reviewed last on: 2/9/2009
Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Vaglio A, Salvarani C, Buzio C. Retroperitoneal fibrosis. Lancet. 21-27 Jan 2006;367(9506);241-251.

Turnage RH, Richardson KA, Li BD, McDonald JC. Abdominal wall, umbilicus, peritoneum, mesenteries, omentum, and retroperitoneum. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 43.

Pais VM, Strandhoy JW, Assimos DG. Pathophysiology of urinary tract obstruction. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 37.

Hsu THS, Streem SB, Nakada SY. Management of upper urinary tract obstruction. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 38.

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