Symptoms and Diagnosis of Retropentoneal Fibrosis

Abstract

A comprehensive study of major symptoms and radiological findings of 31 patients with retroperitoneal fibrosis is presented. In 6 of these cases, the disease appeared to be secondary to chronic methysergide intoxication. Major clinical signs were lumbar pain, hypertension, and renal insufficiency. Diagnosis is mainly established by IVP and retrograde pyelogram. 74% of ureteral stenoses occurred at the level of the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae, the remaining being more extensive. Out of 26 patients treated by ureterolysis, symptoms and ureteral stenosis reappeared in 7 cases. Of 25 surviving patients, followed postoperatively more than 2 years on an average, 20 present no further symptoms and a good renal function.