[Retroperitoneal masses: two case reports--Case 11/2009]

A 35-year old patient (male, headaches, visual impairment, 170/100 mmHg, case 1) and a 61-year old patient (female, headaches, epistaxis, 230/110 mmHg, case 2) were investigated in our hospital.

Laboratory findings in case 1 verified acute renal failure (serum creatinine 23 mg/dl, urea 146 mg/dl, pH 7.19). Bilateral obstructive uropathy was seen in sonography, and CT showed periureteral, retroperitoneal masses (RPM). In case 2, the lab showed a marked hyperreninism with secondary hyperaldosteronism, and ultrasound revealed a lowered right renal resistance-index. The MRI showed a retroperitoneal mass with long-segmental compression of the right renal artery (no lymphomas). CT-guided biopsy revealed grade 2 adenocarcinoma. No metastases were seen in the PET-CT.

In case 1, Morbus Ormond with post-renal failure owing to obstructive uropathy was assumed. After drainage of obstructive uropathy, immunsuppressive therapy (glucocorticoids and azathioprine) was started, and renal function recovered completely in the patient who was free of complaints in the further clinical course. In case 2, cancer disease progressed to osteoblastic metastases under palliative chemotherapy.

RPM generally cause symptoms at rather late stages of the underlying disease. A total of 75% of RPM are based on idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (M. Ormond). Common causes of secondary RPM are drugs, neoplasms, infectious diseases and former therapies in the retroperitoneum (surgery, radiotherapy). Histological investigation is recommended for RPM with atypical location, clinical suspicion of underlying neoplastic or infectious diseases and lacking response to glucocorticoids. The standard therapy for M. Ormond includes glucocorticoids, tamoxifene or methotrexate (or combinations of glucocorticoids with either tamoxifene or methotrexate). In case of secondary RPM, therapy depends on the cause of RPM.