Retroperitoneal fibrosis with large-vessel obstruction. An uncommon vascular disorder.

Five cases are presented in which retroperitoneal fibrosis had entrapped the inferior vena cava and/or aorta and caused occlusive vascular disease. The diagnosis was known preoperatively in two cases and was made at laparotomy in the others. The fibrosis in one case was caused by abdominal tuberculosis. In another case it was most probably secondary to an earlier trauma to the back. No cause could be established in the other three cases. CT scanning is valuable for identifying the lesion. Venous thrombectomy with arteriovenous fistula formation was successful in cases presenting with deep venous thrombosis.