A rare presentation of acute kidney failure due to retroperitoneal fibrosis as a result of gastric linitis plastica: a case-based review

Abstract

This case study details the experience of a 52-year-old Dutch man, with a 4-month history of epigastric pain and weight loss, who was presented to a urology team and found to have rapidly deteriorating renal function with bilateral hydronephrosis. This prompted his admission to hospital for insertion of bilateral JJ ureteral stents. However, the patient's kidney function continued to worsen despite relief of the obstruction. He became increasingly oliguric and was referred to the renal service. Retroperitoneal fibrosis with acute kidney injury resulting from both obstruction and compression of the urinary system was suspected. Treatment with high-dose steroid was initiated. Shortly after, the patient's urine volume began to increase and his kidney function improved drastically. This avoided the need for dialysis. A month after discharge, the patient was diagnosed with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells of the stomach, a diagnosis consistent with linitis plastica.