[Ergotamine abuse and retroperitoneal fibrosis (author's transl)].

A case of Ergotamine abuse causing considerable fibrotic changes of the abdominal aorta and iliac vessels and of the retroperitoneal space is reported. Histological and pathogenetic aspects of the arterial changes and the retroperitoneal fibrosis are discussed. They are referred to the permanent constriction of the Vasa vasorum by Ergotamine.