LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF LOW-DOSE METHOTREXATE THERAPY IN ONE CASE OF IDIOPATHIC RETROPERITONEAL FIBROSIS

Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (RBF) is characterized by the deve lopment of a fibrotic mass surrounding the abdominal aorta and its bra nches, of unknown aetiology, Several immunlogical mechanisms can be op erative in the pathogenesis of RPF. Based on this assumption we treate d a patient affected by idiopathic RPF with low-dose methotrexate (MTX ) therapy, To our knowledge this is the first example of the effective ness and safety of a long-term low-dose MTX treatment in the post-surg ical management of RPF.