Venacavography, corticosteroids and surgery in the management of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.

Four patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis were found to have characteristic obstruction and anterior displacement of the lumbar vena cava. Varying degrees of venous collateral circulation were present, depending on the degree of vena caval compression. All 4 patients underwent ureterolysis to relieve the hydronephrosis and to confirm diagnosis by biopsy.