Hydrothorax in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis -: Peritoneoscintigraphy in a case of spontaneous closure of pleuroperitoneal communication

Peritoneoscintigraphy is a technique with proven value in the confirmation of a pleuroperitoneal communication in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)-related hydrothorax. Promptness of appearance and global extension of radiotracer in the thorax are scintigraphic findings that relate to the size of the diaphragmatic defects. The probability of spontaneous closure is low when the defect is large. A 71-year-old man receiving CAPD was admitted for dyspnea and maleolar edema. A chest radiograph showed a moderate right-sided pleural effusion. Peritoneoscintigraphy revealed the presence of a significant pleuroperitoneal communication, which nevertheless underwent spontaneous closure, as demonstrated by a scan repeated 3 months after CAPD was discontinued.