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.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications , Embolization, Therapeutic/methods , Hemoperitoneum/etiology , Liver Neoplasms/complications , Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory , Aged , Anemia/etiology , Anemia/therapy , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Contrast Media/therapeutic use , Doxorubicin/therapeutic use , Fatal Outcome , Female , Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable/therapeutic use , Hemoperitoneum/therapy , Hemostatics/therapeutic use , Humans , Iodized Oil/therapeutic use , Liver Neoplasms/therapyABSTRACT
110 patients with acute pancreatitis have been investigated with simple X-ray examinations of the abdomen and chest and in 35 cases by investigating the upper digestive tract with contrast medium. The frequency of the main radiological signs and their significance in relation to clinical diagnosis are reported and discussed.
