Retroperitoneal fibrosis: A contemporary perspective on an old disease, or when there are more questions than answers

Retroperitoneal fibrosis, also known as Ormond’s disease, is a rare chronic disorder of unknown etiology characterized by progressive proliferation of non-neoplastic fibro-inflammatory tissue in the retroperitoneal space. The fibrotic mass typically localizes around the infrarenal segment of the aorta, extending to the iliac vessels and involving the ureters and other retroperitoneal organs. The disease often presents with acute urinary obstruction, which is frequently associated with delayed diagnosis due to low awareness among clinicians. This review focuses on describing the clinical features, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of the disease. Current approaches to diagnosis and treatment are discussed, along with a summary of literature. The article is descriptive in nature and aims to provide a comprehensive overview of existing knowledge in this field.