Immunosuppressive therapy for idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis: a retrospective analysis of 26 cases

Simultaneous bilateral subcutaneous pyelovesical bypass as a salvage procedure in refractory retroperitoneal fibrosis

“…9,10 Ureteral obstruction recurs in about 10% of patients who are concomitantly treated with steroids, but can rise up to 50% in those who undergo surgery alone. 11 Therefore, a definitive treatment for some patients may remain elusive even after surgical intervention.…”

Retroperitoneal Fibrosis Secondary to Different Etiologies (Hemilaminectomy and Hypothyroidism): Reports of Two Cases

“…Patients diagnosed as idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis often have raised concentrations of acute-phase reactants, positive autoantibodies, and autoimmune diseases of other organs. [4,5,7,18] The inflammatory nature of the disease was supported by the presence of elevated ESR and CRP, reduced hemoglobin, and elevated gammaglobulin. ANA positivity in 10-20% of cases and good response to glucocorticoids support its autoimmune nature.…”

“…[5,6] The presence of several auto-antibodies, antinuclear antibodies (in up to 50-60% of the cases in low titre), anti-thyroid microsome, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (in 25-30% of the cases), ANCA, rheumatoid factor, and antismooth muscle give an idea of associated systemic autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic vasculitis or accompanying autoimmune thyroiditis. [4,5,7,19,24] There are no standardized diagnostic criteria for retroperitoneal fibrosis. In a patient with the symptoms told above, RF has to be in the probable diagnosis list, despite its low incidence.…”

“…[6] Surgical interventions such as ureterolysis and aneurysm repair are frequently performed, but medical therapy including steroids and immunosuppressants is often needed because of the inflammatory and chronic-relapsing nature of the disease. [7] In this paper, we described two cases diagnosed with RF secondary to hemilaminectomy and hypothyroidism, and we summarized the literature related to RF.…”

Retroperitoneal Fibrosis in a Chinese Woman with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report

“…Currently, the treatment of RPF depends mainly on the drug and surgery, which aim to relieve the obstruction caused by fibrosis, terminate the progression of the fibrotic process and prevent recurrence. For the mild condition, hormones and immunosuppressive therapy is efficacious [14]. Glucocorticoid, tamoxifen [15], methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and combination therapy are commonly used at present.…”