Retroperitoneal fibrosis

Alternative names:

inflammation of the retroperitoneum

Symptoms:

• abdominal pain
• back pain
• flank pain
• testicular pain/tenderness
• nausea/vomiting
• a loss of appetite
• weakness
• fatigue
• general ill feeling
• urine output, decreased

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• urinary hesitancy
• menstruation, painful
• incontinence

Signs and tests:

The blood pressure may be elevated and difficult to control.

• CBC may indicate anemia.
• The sedimentation rate may be elevated.
• A kidney ultrasound may show hydronephrosis (distention of the kidney pelvis because of fluid accumulation).
• An abdominal CT scan may reveal the retroperitoneal mass.
• An IVP may indicate obstruction and deviation of the ureters, usually toward the midline.