title: Detection of subclinical abdominal hernia by peritoneal scintigraphy.
abstract: This study investigated the incidence of subclinical abdominal hernia in patients starting peritoneal dialysis (PD). From April 1995 to August 1999, every new patient without clinical evidence of abdominal leakage underwent peritoneal scintigraphy. A total of 59 patients were enrolled in the study. Imaging of the peritoneal cavity was performed by mixing 74 MBq (2 mCi) of 99 m technetium sulfur colloid with 2 L of 1.36% dextrose peritoneal dialysis solution. Sequential gamma camera static images were obtained at 0 minutes, 60 minutes, and after drainage. Ten abdominal hernias (2 diaphragmatic leaks, 8 inguinal hernias) were observed in ten patients (6 males, 4 females; mean age: 65.1 years). One patient with diaphragmatic leak recovered partial renal function and stopped continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD); the other was switched to automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). Among the eight patients with inguinal hernia, six had no clinical manifestations within eight months of follow-up. Two patients became symptomatic at 15 months and 25 months respectively. They underwent surgical repair. In CAPD patients without obvious abdominal hernias, peritoneal scintigraphy at onset of dialysis discovered 17% positive cases. The technique of scintigraphy is safe, with a low radiation exposure. Surgical repair for maintenance on CAPD is not always necessary, and a change in the PD strategy may be useful.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Nephrology Unit, Reims, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Canivet
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lavaud
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wampach
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wuillai
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Randoux
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Liehn
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chanard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010531:Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory / Q000009:adverse effects; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid