Abstract

AGUILERA FLOREZ, Ana Isabel et al. Hydrothorax in peritoneal dialysis: a report of two cases. Enferm Nefrol [online]. 2015, vol.18, n.4, pp.321-325. ISSN 2255-3517.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S2254-28842015000400011.

Hydrothorax as complication in Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) can be produced by the passage of dialysis fluid from the peritoneum to pleura when there is a communication congenital or acquired diaphragmatic wall. It may be asymptomatic or manifest with dyspnea, cough, chest pain, decreased amount of drainage or simulate a deficit of ultrafiltration. There is a relationship between increased intraperitoneal pressure (IP) and the appearance of hydrothorax. The diagnosis is made by chest X-ray, thoracentesis and gammagraphy. It is a serious and rare complication that usually causes the abandonment of techniques while the realization of chemical pleurodesis with sclerosing agents (talc, tetracyclines, blood) can be an effective treatment to solve the pleuroperitoneal communication. We describe two cases of hydrothorax that appeared after three months of start of PD, coursing with right pleural effusion, cough, dyspnea and decreased volume of drainage, the diagnosis was made by chest X-ray, thoracentesis and gammagraphy with intraperitoneal radioisotope infusion. The two cases were resolved with the suspension of peritoneal dialysis. Based on the relationship between the IP and the occurrence of leakage of fluid into different chambers including pleural cavity, it may be interesting to measure and monitor the results of the intraperitoneal pressure as part of the routine activities of nurses. To carry out the gammagraphy, the collaboration between DP nurse and Medicine Nuclear allow the safe and painless administration of the radioisotope.

Keywords : hydrothorax; peritoneal dialysis; pleuroperitoneal communication.

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