Case of hydronephrosis and retroperitoneal fibrosis

Acute and chronic renal insufficiency are common in older adults and often multifactorial. Common causes include advanced age with physiologic decline in renal function, longstanding diabetes, hypertension, dehydration, and medications. This case report elicits the need to increase awareness of obstruction as a cause of renal insufficiency in older adults, and retroperitoneal fibrosis as a rare but potential cause of renal insufficiency. Retroperitoneal fibrosis may not be an uncommon cause of hydronephrosis in the long-term care setting. Recognition of this entity along with early intervention may prevent complications of the disease.