Intraperitoneal radiocolloid imaging in dialysate leaks.

Abstract

With the increasing use of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), a number of complications related to the leakage of dialysate from the abdominal cavity have been described (Dubin and Froelich: Clinical Nuclear Medicine 10(3): 173, 174, 1985; Johnson et al.: Archives of Surgery 122(8): 952-954, 1987; Ducassou et al.: Journal of Nuclear Medicine 25(1): 68, 69, 1984; Walker and Fish: Journal of Nuclear Medicine 29(9): 1596-1602, 1988; Eisenberg et al.: Clinical Nuclear Medicine 13(2): 99-101, 1988). The use of intraperitoneal radiolabeled colloid has been previously described to image entities such as hernias, patent processus vaginalis, abdominal wall, and diaphragmatic leakage by other specialities, but has not been described in the general imaging literature. This paper illustrates a simple, noninvasive method of determining the site of dialysate leak and its importance to assist further patient management.