OBJECTIVETo evaluate and improve the diagnosis and surgical treatment of the retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF).

METHODSThe medical records of 26 patients with the RPF (21 men and 5 women with mean age 54 years) were analyzed retrospectively. They were been treated from January 1996 to May 2007. Fourteen cases received double-J inter-ureter drainage or pricking pyelostomy and 9 of 15 cases who received open surgery were performed bilateral ureterolysis with their ureters translocated intraperitoneally.

RESULTSFor masses in retroperitoneal space, the diagnostic rate of B mode ultrasonography, CT and MRI was 12% (3/26), 86% (18/21) and 57% (8/14) respectively. The patients were followed up from 1 to 106 months. After drained by double-J inter-ureter stent or pricking pyelostomy, the mean serum creatinine level decreased from 373.9 micromol/L to 157.1 micromol/L of 14 patients. Those patients who underwent ureterolysis with ureteral intraperitoneal translocation had good results and their mean serum creatinine level decreased from 171.0 micromol/L before operation to 139.6 micromol/L after operation. Four patients had normal B-ultrasound and intravenous urogram findings with at least 24 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSCT scan has better accuracy for diagnosis of the RPF than B mode ultrasonography and MRI. Prompt and appropriate relief of urinary obstruction with surgical intervention can effectively protect the renal function in patients with the RPF, and the ureterolysis with ureteral intraperitoneal translocation is an effective surgical procedure to treat this disease.