Percutaneous transtubal scintigraphic assessment of patency of peritoneovenous shunts

Peritoneovenous shunts have been widely used in the management of patients with ascites when medical therapy has failed. Shunt malfunction is a frequent complication. Direct injection of a small amount of Tc-99m-sulfur colloid into the afferent limb of the shunt allows prompt, accurate determination of shunt patency while avoiding some of the hazards and pitfalls of previously described techniques.