Laparoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy: A Safe and Effective Approach for Diagnosing Idiopathic Retroperitoneal Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRPF) is a rare fibroinflammatory condition that is challenging to distinguish from retroperitoneal malignancies based solely on imaging. We evaluated laparoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy for diagnosing IRPF.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 12 patients with suspected retroperitoneal fibrosis who underwent laparoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy. The surgical technique involved systematic laparoscopic exploration, intraoperative ultrasound to delineate the mass and its relation to great vessels, and targeted biopsy.

RESULTS

Preoperative imaging suggested retroperitoneal masses in all 12 patients but failed to provide a definitive diagnosis in any case. Laparoscopic biopsy was successfully performed in all patients without conversion to laparotomy. Pathological examination confirmed IRPF in 11 patients and retroperitoneal adenocarcinoma in one. The procedure was safe, with minimal blood loss (20.4 ± 14.8 mL) and a short operative time (68.3 ± 19.0 min). All IRPF patients were treated with a combination of prednisone, tamoxifen, and mycophenolate mofetil, leading to significant lesion regression on follow-up imaging (median 37.9 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy is a safe and highly effective diagnostic procedure for IRPF. It provides definitive pathological diagnosis to guide appropriate therapy and should be considered when percutaneous biopsy is not feasible.