Thoracocentesis helps diagnose diaphragmatic defects in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Hydrothorax is an infrequent complication of peritoneal dialysis. Hydrothorax is often secondary to diaphragmatic defects. Available diagnostic tools are usually insensitive and false-negative results are common. We describe a modification to the standard isotopic peritoneogram that proved effective when other tests yielded false-negative results. We conclude that thoracocentesis prior to the standard isotopic peritoneogram facilitates the diagnosis of diaphragmatic defects.