Peritoneal scintigraphy and SPECT/TC in the diagnosis of leaks in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Objective: To assess the usefulness of peritoneal cavity scintigraphy and the contribution of SPECT/CT in patients on peritoneal dialysis with suspected leak.

Methodology: An observational case series study is carried out. It consists of a longitudinal, retrospective and descriptive study. 11 patients on peritoneal dialysis were studied and it was realiced a peritoneal cavity scintigraphy test and SPECT/CT to evaluate a peritoneal leak.

Results: In 54,5% of the patients, a positive study of peritoneal leak was obtained. The most frequent localitations were in the abdominal wall at the catheter entry level and the inguinal hernia. In the cases with sintomatology like pain and celullitis of the subcutaneous tract of the cateter the frequent of leak was 100%. There was a change in therapeutic management in patients with a positive study. There was not relevant changes in initial dialysis regimen in patients with a negative study. In this cases, except for one patient who required hemodialysis, all patients experienced clinical improvement.

Conclusions: Peritoneal scintigraphy and SPECT/CT study are non-invasive techniques that allow an adequate diagnosis and subsequent management of peritoneal leak.