Peritoneal Scintigraphy for the Assessment of Dialysate Leakage in Patients on Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

Received 8/30/2000; accepted 9/18/2000. For Correspondence or reprints contact: Nan-Tsing Chiu, M.D., Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, 138, Shing-Li Road, Tainan 704, Taiwan. Tel:(886)6-2353535 ext. 2480 Fax: (886)6-2766609 E mail: [email protected] Background: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) has several advantages. However, some complications including dialysate leakage may occur. In this study, we investigated the value of peritoneal scintigraphy in evaluating dialysate leakage in patients undergoing CAPD. Methods: Ten patients underwent CAPD between June l99l and October l999 and suspected to have dialysate leakage were included in this study. Peritoneal scintigraphy was performed after administration of 111 MBq (3 mCi) of Tc-MAA in dialysis solution into the peritoneal cavity via the Tenckhoff catheter. Initial dynamic imaging and subsequent images over a 6-h period were obtained. Results: Dialysate leakage was demonstrated by peritoneal scintigraphy in all 10 patients, including 5 peritoneopleural communication, 3 periumbilical leakage (two episodes in patient 6), 1 leakage into the right hemiscrotum, and 1 (patient 9) leakage into the right labia major at the first time and leakage via abdominal wall defect at the second time. A follow-up scan of patient 9 had negative result. Conclusion: Peritoneal scintigraphy is a highly sensitive, non-invasive, and convenient procedure with diagnostic value in evaluating dialysate leakage encountered in patients on CAPD.