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[Retroperitoneal fibrosis with involvement up to the mediastinal space]
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Aomori Prefectural Central Hospital, Japan.
Nihon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Retroperitoneal fibrosis, a rare condition, can mimic tumors and cause heart failure. Early diagnosis and steroid treatment effectively reduced the fibrotic lesion in this case.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- A 60-year-old male presented with atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
- Initial investigations suggested collagen disease due to positive antinuclear antibodies and elevated sedimentation rate.
Observation:
- Chest X-ray revealed cardiomegaly and murmurs, indicating heart disease.
- Chest CT showed a mediastinal lesion encasing the heart and great vessels.
- Abdominal CT demonstrated the lesion extending along the aorta, causing ureteral narrowing and hydronephrosis.
Findings:
- Percutaneous needle biopsy revealed non-specific chronic inflammation.
- The clinical and imaging findings led to a diagnosis of retroperitoneal fibrosis.
- Treatment with corticosteroids resulted in lesion shrinkage.
Implications:
- Retroperitoneal fibrosis can present with diverse symptoms, including cardiac and renal manifestations.
- Imaging modalities like CT are crucial for diagnosing the extent of retroperitoneal fibrosis.
- Corticosteroid therapy can be effective in managing retroperitoneal fibrosis.