Retroperitoneal fibrosis in a patient with gastric cancer manifested by lower extremity edema and hydrocele

Intern Med. 2012;51(16):2157-60. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.51.7660. Epub 2012 Aug 15.

Abstract

Herein we report a 57-year-old man with lower extremity edema and swelling in the scrotum who was found to have a periaortic soft tissue mass and hydronephrosis by computed tomography. With the most plausible diagnosis of retroperitoneal fibrosis, corticosteroid therapy was initiated; however, it did not improve his symptoms. Upper gastroscopy performed on day 20 post admission showed ulcerative regions with an irregular border and fusion of thickened rugae at the gastric angle; the diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma was confirmed histologically. It is important to always be aware of unrecognized malignancies that are accompanied by retroperitoneal fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / complications*
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Edema / etiology*
  • Gastroscopy
  • Humans
  • Hydronephrosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Hydronephrosis / etiology
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Lower Extremity / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retroperitoneal Fibrosis / diagnosis*
  • Retroperitoneal Fibrosis / etiology*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / complications*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Testicular Hydrocele / etiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G