A noncancerous mass of fibrous tissue that grows in the back of the abdomen and may block the tubes (ureters) connecting the kidneys and bladder. The disease occurs mostly in men and is rare. Symptoms include pain in the abdomen, back, testicles, or side under the ribs; nausea or vomiting; general weakness; decreased output of urine; difficulty retaining urine (incontinence); or difficulty urinating. Diagnosis is usually made with X rays or CT (computed tomography) scans of the person’s abdomen. Treatment consists of surgery to relieve the obstruction of the kidneys and a biopsy of the removed mass.
Development of a mass of scar tissue in the retroperitoneal space. This may lead to physical compression of the ureters, vena cava, or aorta. This disease may be associated with taking methysergide for migraine, and with other drugs.