Image-guided peritoneal access and management of complications in peritoneal dialysis

The principal complications of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), namely malposition of the dialysis catheter, peritonitis, exit site infection, leakage of dialysis fluid, sclerosing peritonitis, and renal cysts and tumors, are considered in this article. The techniques that are used to reposition displaced dialysis catheters and extend the duration of dialysis are described. The role of imaging in establishing the diagnosis of peritonitis is relatively small. However, both computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound may be used to identify loculation of fluid and localized sites of sepsis, and permit percutaneous drainage. Ultrasonography of the catheter track through the percutaneous tissues allows identification of pericatheter collections in patients with exit-site infection. The technique of CT peritoneography is helpful in establishing sites of dialysis fluid leakage. These commonly occur at the site of entry of the dialysis catheter, through abdominal incisions, or along the patent tunica vaginalis into the scrotum. The appearances on CT of sclerosing peritonitis reflect pathologic changes and are characterized by the presence of peritoneal thickening and calcification. Bowel obstruction, which may develop in sclerosing peritonitis, can be identified on abdominal radiographs or barium studies of the gastrointestinal tract. Acquired renal cystic disease and renal carcinomas occur in a significant proportion of patients undergoing CAPD. Ultrasound is the investigation of first choice in the identification and clarification of the pathology (cystic or solid) of suspected renal masses.