Hemoperitoneum in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patient caused by a hepatocarcinoma treated with percutaneous embolization.

Abstract

Hemoperitoneum is an infrequent but normally benign complication in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. It can occur at any time during peritoneal dialytic treatment. Hemoperitoneum is not associated with a specific disease and usually disappears spontaneously. In 20% of cases, however, hemoperitoneum is severe and requires specific investigation and emergency therapy. We report a case of hemoperitoneum in a 70-year-old, anti-hepatitic C virus-positive woman. After 48 months of CAPD treatment, a bloody peritoneal effluent developed, with severe anemia (hematocrit decreased from 30% to 20%). An abdominal computed tomography scan showed three hepatic lesions with signs of hepatic neoplasms; selective hepatic arteriography confirmed the diagnosis. Chemoembolization of the three lesions was performed, and hemoperitoneum disappeared within a few hours.

• Authors: B Dozio, R Scanziani, G Rovere, L Sangalli, S Sacerdoti, M Surian
• Journal: American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation (Am J Kidney Dis) Vol. 38 Issue 3 Pg. E11 (Sep 2001) ISSN: 1523-6838 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 11532713 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Contrast Media
• Hemostatics
• Iodized Oil
• Doxorubicin

Topics

• Aged
• Anemia (etiology, therapy)
• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (complications, therapy)
• Contrast Media (therapeutic use)
• Doxorubicin (therapeutic use)
• Embolization, Therapeutic (methods)
• Fatal Outcome
• Female
• Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable (therapeutic use)
• Hemoperitoneum (etiology, therapy)
• Hemostatics (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Iodized Oil (therapeutic use)
• Liver Neoplasms (complications, therapy)
• Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory