Retroperitoneal fibrosis: case series of five patients and review of the literature

Abstract

Chronic periaortitis (CP) is an umbrella term used to describe a group of nosologically allied conditions that include idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (Ormond's disease), inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm, and perianeurysmal retroperitoneal fibrosis. Retroperitoneal fibrosis encompasses a range of diseases characterized 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 neighboring structures-ureters. Retroperitoneal fibrosis is generally idiopathic, but can also be secondary to the use of certain drugs, malignant diseases, infections, and surgery. Here we describe a 5 years follow-up (2006–2011) of 5 patients admitted to our hospital with symptoms, laboratory, imaging and pathologic finding compatible with retroperitoneal fibrosis. We review our clinical course of our patient with respect to the literature.