Retroperitoneal Fibrosis Clinical Presentation

Updated: Sep 02, 2021
  • Author: Chandra Shekhar Biyani, MS, MBBS, DUrol, FRCS(Urol), FEBU; Chief Editor: Bradley Fields Schwartz, DO, FACS  more...
  • Print
Presentation

History and Physical Examination

The symptoms and signs associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis are nonspecific. Pain, often accompanied by significant weight loss, constipation, and constitutional symptoms, is a common presenting symptom. [28] Pain is present in 92% of cases; it is typically in the flank, back, scrotum, or lower abdomen and is dull, poorly localized, and noncolicky. [1] in children, pain may be referred to the ipsilateral hip or gluteal region, resulting in resistance to hip extension. [2]

Other manifestations may include the following:

  • Fever
  • Lower-extremity edema
  • Phlebitis
  • Deep venous thrombosis
  • Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and malaise are uncommon
  • Raynaud phenomenon, ureteric colic, hematuria, claudication, and urinary frequency occur rarely

Retroperitoneal fibrosis can also be associated with Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, and sclerosing cholangitis.