Variants Of Retroperitoneal Fibrosis
Annals of Surgery 165(3): March 1967; 338-401
View Original Source →Abstract
The syndromes of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis and mesenteric panniculitis are reviewed. Variants as reported in the literature are listed. Five patients with idiopathic fibrosis encountered at laparotomy are reported. Current concepts of the etiology and pathogenesis of idiopathic fibrosis are reviewed. The relationship of the idiopathic fibrotic processes to each other and to other fibrotic processes of the body is discussed.
Case Details
Personal Characteristics
A 48-year-old man
Clinical Characteristics
Large persistent intra-abdominal mass, symptoms of intermittent abdominal discomfort, cramping, bloating, easy fatigue, and weakness, yellowish tumor tissue which was very hard in some spots and soft in others, densely adherent to the vertebral bodies and large vessels, considered as malignant undifferentiated tumor, probably liposarcoma, extensive intra-abdominal adhesions, vague boundaries of the tumor, chronic fibrositis or sclerosing lipogranuloma
Remission Characteristics
Amazing regression of the mass and great improvement in symptoms
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Not discussed
Clinical Treatment
Laparotomy, re-operation, lysis of adhesions, biopsy
Additional Notes
The tumor was considered inoperable and neither irradiation nor chemotherapy was advised. When last seen in August 1965 the mass was barely palpable and the patient was euphoric about his lack of symptoms.