Scintigraphic detection of abdominal wall and diaphragmatic peritoneal leaks in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is utilized with increasing frequency for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Several complications have been observed including catheter malfunction due to pericatheter leaks, abdominal wall and inguinal hernias and diaphragmatic leaks. Occasionally special diagnostic procedures are necessary to determine the nature of the abnormality and guide the surgical approach to correction. The four cases herein illustrate the usefulness of radionuclide imaging in diagnosing leakage of dialysate fluid in patients on CAPD.