Efficiency of positron-emission tomography in two cases of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis is a relatively rare disease that is characterized by the proliferation of fibrous tissue with an inflammatory process in the retroperitoneal cavity. It can cause an obstruction and compression of the ureter, abdominal aorta, and finally progress to renal failure. During the initial stages, the histology shows active inflammation. However, in the late stages, fibrous scarring occurs and the tissue becomes relatively avascular and acellular. Increased 18F-FDG accumulation was observed in our patient at the time of disease onset, which was attributed to the presence of inflammatory cells and actively metabolizing fibroblasts. We describe two patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis, who were examined by 18F-FDG-PET, and discuss the efficiency of positron emission tomography in the diagnosis and management of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis patients.