Retroperitoneal Fibrosis Follow-up

  • Author: Chandra Shekhar Biyani, MBBS, MS, DUrol, FRCS(Urol), FEBU; Chief Editor: Bradley Fields Schwartz, DO, FACS   more...
 
Updated: Jan 19, 2012
 

Further Inpatient Care

  • After relief of long-standing obstruction, a physiologic diuresis is expected. This is usually a self-limiting process and can be managed conservatively with fluid and electrolyte replacement.
  • Urea diuresis is the most common. It is self-limiting, lasting 24-48 hours. Monitoring of fluid balance and electrolytes is required. Unless otherwise contraindicated, increased oral fluid intake should suffice.
  • Sodium diuresis is the second most common postobstructive diuresis. It usually is self-limiting but may have a longer duration (>72 h). Monitor fluid balance and electrolytes more aggressively (ie, intake and output [I/O], central venous pressure [CVP], urine and serum electrolytes).
  • Ultrasonography may be used to assess hydronephrosis.
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Further Outpatient Care

  • Biochemical markers (eg, CRP, ESR, renal function) should be monitored every 4-8 weeks to assess the response.
  • Radiologic assessment (eg, CT scanning, MRI) is performed every 3 months; once disease is stabilized, scanning can be repeated at 6 months.
  • Recurrence of stenosis has been reported as late as 10 years; thus, long-term follow-up is necessary.
  • Patients with renal failure should be referred to a nephrologist early in the course of their disease and have continued nephrologic follow-up.
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Complications

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Prognosis

  • The natural history of retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) has not been clearly established. However, the outcome of nonmalignant retroperitoneal fibrosis is generally good.[70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77]
  • The prognosis of malignant retroperitoneal fibrosis is poor.
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Patient Education

  • Patients with renal failure should be educated about the importance of compliance with secondary preventative measures, natural disease progression, prescribed medications (highlighting their potential benefits and adverse effects), and diet.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Chandra Shekhar Biyani, MBBS, MS, DUrol, FRCS(Urol), FEBU  Consulting Urologist, Department of Urology, Pinderfields General Hospital, The Mid-Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, UK

Chandra Shekhar Biyani, MBBS, MS, DUrol, FRCS(Urol), FEBU is a member of the following medical societies: British Association of Urological Surgeons, British Medical Association, European Association of Urology, and International College of Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Joby Taylor, MBChB, FRCS  Consultant Urologist, Forth Valley Royal Hospital, UK

Joby Taylor, MBChB, FRCS is a member of the following medical societies: British Association of Urological Surgeons, European Association of Urology, International Continence Society, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and United Kingdom Continence Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Anthony J Browning, MB, ChB, FRCS(Edin)  Consultant Urological Surgeon, Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust, Pinderfields General Hospital; Associate Post Graduate Dean, Yorkshire and Humber Deanery, UK

Anthony J Browning, MB, ChB, FRCS(Edin) is a member of the following medical societies: British Association of Urological Surgeons, Endourological Society, and European Association of Urology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Martha K Terris, MD, FACS  Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, Director, Urology Residency Training Program, Medical College of Georgia; Professor, Department of Physician Assistants, Medical College of Georgia School of Allied Health; Chief, Section of Urology, Augusta Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Martha K Terris, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Cancer Society, American College of Surgeons, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Urological Association, Association of Women Surgeons, New York Academy of Sciences, Society of Government Service Urologists, Society of University Urologists, Society of Urology Chairpersons and Program Directors, and Society of Women in Urology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Martin I Resnick, MD †  Former Lester Persky Professor and Chair, Department of Urology, Former Professor, Department of Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Martin I Resnick, MD † is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Federation for Medical Research, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American Medical Association, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American Society of Andrology, American Surgical Association, American Urological Association, Association for Academic Surgery, Endocrine Society, National Kidney Foundation, Ohio Urological Society, and Pan American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

J Stuart Wolf Jr, MD, FACS  The David A Bloom Professor of Urology, Director, Division of Endourology and Stone Disease, Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School

J Stuart Wolf Jr, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Urological Association, Catholic Medical Association, Endourological Society, Society for Urology and Engineering, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, Society of University Urologists, and Society of Urologic Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Bradley Fields Schwartz, DO, FACS  Professor of Urology, Director, Center for Laparoscopy and Endourology, Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Bradley Fields Schwartz, DO, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Urological Association, Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, Endourological Society, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, and Society of University Urologists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Intravenous urogram shows medial deviation of the middle part of both ureters.
Retrograde ureterogram reveals smooth narrowing and medial shift of the ureter.
Retrograde pyelogram demonstrates hydronephrosis.
Contrast-enhanced CT scan demonstrates a periaortic soft tissue attenuating mass.
Noncontrast CT scan shows periaortic fibrotic reaction associated with an inflammatory aortic aneurysm. Note bilateral ureteric stents.
Management algorithm of retroperitoneal fibrosis.
Postureterolysis intravenous urogram demonstrates lateral displacement of both ureters and a double J stent on the right side.
Retrograde pyelogram shows satisfactory positioning of a wall stent in a patient with postureterolysis obstruction.
Abdominal radiograph demonstrates a wall stent on the right side.
Table. Differential Diagnoses of Retroperitoneal Fibrosis[42]
Retroperitoneal FibrosisRetroperitoneal LymphomaSclerosing MesenteritisDesmoid-Type FibromatosisInflammatory Myofibroblastic TumorWell-Differentiated Liposarcoma Sclerosing Variant
Ureteral displacementMedialLateral
Ureteral obstruction~80%~50%RareRareRareUnknown
Aortic displacementRareAnterior
Reactive perivascular lymphoid aggregates100%AbsentVariableRareVariablePresent in the inflammatory type
NecrosisAbsentVariableFat necrosisRareFocalFat necrosis
Vasculitis~50%AbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsent
ClonalityAbsentVariableAbsentAbsentAbsentPresent
Β-cateninNegativeUnknownNegativePositive in 90% of casesNegativeVariable positivity
ALK-1NegativeUsually negativeNegativeNegativePositive in 50% of casesNegative
CD-117Negative in spindle cell componentRareVariableNegativeRareNegative
DesminNegativeNegativeVariableRareUsually positiveRare
S100NegativeNegativeNegativeRareNegativeUsually positive in the adipocytic component
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