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

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.