RETROPERITONEAL FIBROSIS

Course overview

RETROPERITONEAL FIBROSIS (RPF) IS A RELATIVELY RARE CONDITION THAT IS CHARACTERIZED BY A CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY AND FIBROSIS IN THE RETROPERITONEUM THAT CAN LEAD TO COMPRESSION OF STRUCTURES WITHIN THE RETROPERITONEUM. THIS FIBROTIC PROCESS CAN OFTEN LEAD TO ENCASEMENT OF THE URETERS AND OTHER ABDOMINAL ORGANS INCLUDING THE INFERIOR VENA CAVA. THE PROCESS CAN BE IDIOPATHIC OR SECONDARY TO OTHER CAUSES. TREATMENT MAY INVOLVE MEDICAL THERAPY AND/OR SURGICAL MANAGEMENT. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE EVALUATION, DIAGNOSIS, AND MANAGEMENT OF RETROPERITONEAL FIBROSIS AND STRESSES THE ROLE OF TEAM-BASED INTERPROFESSIONAL CARE FOR AFFECTED PATIENTS.