The underrated role of ultrasound in peritoneal dialysis.

The underrated role of ultrasound in peritoneal dialysis.

Granata A; Rahbari E; Di Nicolò P; Battaglia Y; Campo I; Fresilli D; Pacini P; Lucatelli P; Barr RG; Cantisani V; Zeiler M

Journal Of Ultrasound In Medicine

2021

2021-03-29

Ultrasound is very effective in performing procedures and assessment of complications in peritoneal dialysis. The ultrasound examination can be applied for preoperative assessment, during the peritoneal catheter placement, for the detection and monitoring of infection, as well as for the evaluation of the catheter malfunction. Despite being not only a cost- and time-saving technique but also a bedside procedure, ultrasonography remains an underrated clinical tool in the field of peritoneal dialysis. This publication wants to explain and reinforce the clinical utility of US in PD and to expand the diagnostic equipment for the clinician.

The application of ultrasound (US) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) started in the 90s, focusing on common clinical aspects such as exit site and tunnel infections.1-3 In the new millennium, US was evaluated as an aid to percutaneous catheter placement and for the study of catheter malfunction.4-10 In case reports or case series, US was useful in detecting complications such as adhesion,11, 12 hernia,13, 14 leakage,15 cyst formation,16 or pleuroperitoneal communication17 often anticipating or confirming the diagnosis of other radiological techniques such as computed tomography or nuclear magnetic resonance. In daily clinical practice, bedside US seems to have an underrated role despite its considerable diagnostic power. This publication wants to explain and reinforce the clinical utility of US in PD and to expand the diagnostic equipment for the clinical nephrologist.

Journal Article

NEOMED College of Medicine

Department of Radiology

jan to Aug list 2021