Korean J Med.  2011 Jun;80(Suppl 2):S263-S267.

A Case of Idiopathic Retroperitoneal Fibrosis with Acute Renal Failure and a Pleural Effusion

• Koo SW
• Kim MA
• Kim JH
• Yoo KH
• Park HJ
• Kim KH
• Kim HJ

Abstract

Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRF) is characterized by a fibrotic process and chronic inflammation of the retroperitoneal area and aorta. The development of retroperitoneal inflammation and fibrosis often results in periureteral encasement, ureteral obstruction, acute renal failure, and subsequent chronic renal failure and, rarely, mediastinal, pericardial, or pleural involvement. Our patient presented with left flank pain and abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a retroperitoneal mass encompassing the aorta and both ureters. IRF was diagnosed after a biopsy of the retroperitoneal mass. A complicating left pleural effusion and acute renal failure developed and the patient underwent a percutaneous nephrostomy and was treated with prednisolone. After this, the patient's symptoms, renal failure, and pleural effusion improved and the retroperitoneal mass decreased in size. We report a case of IRF with a pleural effusion and acute renal failure that improved with steroid treatment, with a literature review.

Keyword

Retroperitoneal fibrosis; Acute renal failure; Pleural effusion

MeSH Terms

Acute Kidney Injury
Aorta
Biopsy
Fibrosis
Flank Pain
Humans
Inflammation
Kidney Failure, Chronic
Nephrostomy, Percutaneous
Pleural Effusion
Prednisolone
Renal Insufficiency
Retroperitoneal Fibrosis
Ureter
Ureteral Obstruction
Prednisolone