Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis; Ormond's disease

Powerful anti-inflammatory medicines called corticosteroids are tried first. Some doctors also use a drug called tamoxifen to treat this condition.

If corticosteroid treatment doesn't work, a biopsy should be done to confirm the diagnosis. If confirmed, other medicines to suppress the immune system are usually prescribed.

When medicine does not work, surgery and stents (draining tubes) are needed.

Prognosis depends on the extent of the fibrosis and the amount of damage to the kidneys. The kidney damage may be temporary or permanent.

The disorder may lead to:

• Chronic bilateral obstructive uropathy
• Chronic kidney failure
• Chronic unilateral obstructive uropathy

Call your health care provider if you experience lower abdomen or flank pain, particularly with decreased urine volume.

Images

Male urinary system

Previous Section

Retroperitoneal fibrosis Symptoms

Next Section

Retroperitoneal fibrosis Prevention

Review Date: 03/17/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Chief of Urology, Cambridge Health Alliance, Visiting Assistant Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)