Spontaneous resolution of hydrothorax in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Modalities of Diagnosis and Management of Peritoneal Dialysis-related Hydrothorax Including Videothoracoscopy-assisted Repair: A Single-center Experience

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related hydrothorax (PDRH) is uncommon; however, it is associated with a high discontinuation rate and morbidity. We report clinical characteristics, pleural fluid chemistry patterns, diagnostic modality, management options, and outcomes in 12 patients who have confirmed pleuroperitoneal communication after the inception of the PD program at our institute. The incidence of PDRH in our study was 0.64%. The interval between initiation of PD and hydrothorax ranged from 7 weeks to 40 weeks (average 20.6 weeks). Ten (83.3%) had right-sided, one (8.3%) left-sided, and one (8.3%) bilateral hydrothorax. Most patients (83.3%) had dyspnea with chest symptoms, but two (16.6%) patients were asymptomatic. All patients had confirmed communication either by peritoneal scintigraphy or computed topography peritoneography. PD had to be stopped in two patients and patients were shifted back to hemodialysis. Pleurodesis, through thoracostomy with tetracycline or betadine, was used for four patients. Three patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) with surgical repair of the diaphragmatic defect, and one underwent VATS assisted talc pleurodesis. All four patients who underwent VATS repair of the defect had successful outcomes. With availability and experience with VATS, most patients had successfully returned to PD with no recurrence and with minimal morbidity.

Pleuroperitoneal communication after bacterial peritonitis and total gastrectomy for gastric neuroendocrine tumors: a case report and brief literature review

Background

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is associated with various complications, some of which may result in its discontinuation. Pleuroperitoneal communication (PPC) is commonly recognized by the presence of a diaphragmatic defect and pressure elevation in the abdominal cavity due to the dialysate. PPC is unpredictable and its presence prevents the continuation of PD. We present the clinical course and pathological findings of PPC in a PD patient after bacterial peritonitis and total gastrectomy for gastric neuroendocrine tumors. We provide a brief review of PD-related complications that develop due to a non-infectious pathology, including those related to catheter use and an elevated intra-abdominal pressure.

Case presentation

A 65-year-old Japanese man, who had been receiving PD treatment for 1 year, visited our hospital owing to a cloudy dialysate. Bacteria were detected in the dialysate. He had been previously diagnosed with gastric neuroendocrine tumors and gastrectomy had been planned. On admission, we started a 14-day antibiotic treatment for PD-related peritonitis. The patient showed a good clinical course. Gastrectomy was performed as planned, and the postoperative course was uneventful. During the perioperative period, PD was temporally changed to hemodialysis. Five weeks after the gastrectomy, PD treatment was resumed with gradual increase in the exchange volume. After returning to PD overnight, using an automated peritoneal dialysis machine, the patient complained of breathing difficulty and he gained weight. Right-sided pleural effusion was observed on a chest radiograph, and PPC was confirmed by scintigraphy when a mixture of technetium-99m and dialysate was seen entering the right hemithorax within 120 min. The patient did not consent to surgery for the PPC and he hoped to continue to receive PD treatment conservatively. We advised the patient to undergo dialysate exchange in a semi-seated position, and he was prohibited from lying down during the daytime. He continued PD treatment without signs of pleural effusion and over-volume.

Conclusions

This case of PPC occurring after bacterial peritonitis and total gastrectomy for gastric neuroendocrine tumors in a PD patient demonstrates the necessity of recognizing the PPC pathology in PD management and establishing methods for preventing PPC development after bacterial peritonitis or surgical procedures.

Acute Hydrothorax Complicating Peritoneal Dialysis

Aim

To determine whether gradually increasing the peritoneal dialysate fill volume from 10 to 40 mL/kg over 6 days, rather than commencing at 40 mL/kg, prevents hydrothorax in children and reverses it if present.

Methods

A review of children peritoneally dialyzed in a single center.

Results

During the 20 years beginning June 1985, 416 children were peritoneally dialyzed, of which 327 (79%) had acute and 89 had end-stage renal failure. Among 253 children who had gradually increasing fill volumes, none developed acute hydrothoraces, but 13/163 (8%) who began with 40 mL/kg cycles did ( p < 0.000, Fisher's exact test). These were diagnosed after a median (range) of 48 (6 – 72) hours and were predominantly right sided. Initially, we readily abandoned peritoneal dialysis; 2 were changed to hemodialysis. Subsequently, we found that peritoneal dialysis could be continued by using small volumes with the patients sitting up; cycle volumes were then gradually increased again. One pre-term baby died soon after developing an acute hydrothorax. One patient on chronic peritoneal dialysis developed an acute hydrothorax after forceful vomiting, but recovered after being dialyzed sitting up with low fills.

Conclusion

Acute hydrothorax can be prevented and treated using graduated cycle volumes, and is not a contraindication for peritoneal dialysis.

Unexplained Exudative Pleural Effusion in Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Background

Although the clinico-pathological entity of uremic pleuritis has long been recognized, its clinical significance remains poorly defined.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 82 chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients that had pleural effusion. The pattern of diagnosis and clinical outcome were reviewed.

Results

10 patients had overt fluid overload and thoracocentesis was not performed, 23 had other specific diagnoses, 15 had transudative effusion due to fluid overload, 12 had unexplained transudative effusion, and 22 patients had unexplained exudative effusion. The 3-year actuarial survival was 40.9% and 83.3% for patients with unexplained exudative and transudative effusion respectively ( p = 0.012); technique survival was 74.2% and 90.9% respectively ( p = 0.006). For patients with unexplained exudative effusion, 11 patients had their PD regimen intensified: they had a higher 3-year actuarial survival than those with their dialysis regimen unchanged (100.0% vs 52.6%, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Unexplained exudative pleural effusion is not uncommon in chronic PD patients. These patients have a high mortality; an intensive dialysis regimen may be considered.

Hydrothorax: pleural effusion associated with peritoneal dialysis

Hydrothorax in a patient treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) poses a diagnostic dilemma. Hydrothorax due to migration of dialysis fluid across the diaphragm and into the pleural space creates a serious complication of PD but generally does not threaten life. Shortness of breath causes the patient to seek medical attention. A sudden diminution in dialysis adequacy or poor ultrafiltration rate constitutes a unique marker for patients treated with PD compared to the general population. This article reviews the etiology for hydrothorax specifically in the PD population. Thoracentesis with chemical analysis of the fluid, imaging studies with and without contrast or markers, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery play important roles in the evaluation of hydrothorax. A conservative PD regimen, surgical intervention, and pleurodesis provide treatment options to those receiving PD.

Management options for hydrothorax complicating peritoneal dialysis

Hydrothorax as a result of pleuroperitoneal communication occurs in approximately 2% of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Although our understanding of its mechanisms is incomplete, it is apparent that the key to successful therapy is obliteration of a transdiaphragmatic route of dialysate leakage (pleuroperitoneal communication), possibly coupled with reduction of intra-abdominal pressure. This review corroborated the findings from 10 major population-based case series in which 60 of the 104 cases (58%) were able to resume long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). Temporary interruption of PD alone was successful in half of them. As compared to this conservative approach, as well as chemical pleurodesis via intercostal chest drain, video-assisted thoracoscopic intervention (including direct pleurodesis and diaphragmatic repair) has shown a promising role. Efficacy of thoracoscopic treatment has been confirmed by several case series from various centers and the demonstration of a success rate in excess of 90%. With accumulating experience using the thoracoscopic technique, it remains to be seen whether this mode of treatment will obviate the traditional closed pleurodesis.

Thoracic complications of peritoneal dialysis

Approximately 20% of the 100,000 patients in the United States currently undergoing dialysis therapy for end-stage renal disease use the technique of peritoneal dialysis. We present a patient on peritoneal dialysis who developed a large posterior mediastinal mass, which on surgical exploration was found to be a paraesophageal hernia sac filled with omentum and dialysis fluid. We use this case as an introduction to review the thoracic complications of peritoneal dialysis.