[The value of color-coded duplex sonography of a dialysis shunt]

Two hundred and sixty-four shunt segments in 43 patients with 66 dialysis shunts were examined by colour-coded duplex sonography and the results compared with DSA. Sonography demonstrated shunt stenoses with an accuracy of 93.9% (sensitivity 90.6%, specificity 95.8%). Only central venous stenoses were shown better by DSA than by sonography. Sonography showed occlusions with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 100%. All aneurysms demonstrated by DSA were correctly identified by sonography. In 18 patients PTA of the shunt was performed. The result of treatment could be quantified by measuring flow by means of sonography. The study confirmed the value of duplex sonography as a noninvasive diagnostic method for investigating insufficient dialysis shunts.