[Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis and ankylosing spondylitis].

A case of ankylosing spondylarthritis in which retroperitoneal fibrosis developed 16 years after onset is reported. The patient also had aortic incompetence and cardiac conduction disorders. Eight other cases of ankylosing spondylitis with retroperitoneal fibrosis have been published. Potential relationships between the two conditions--including the possible role of indomethacin used by the patient for 16 years--are discussed.