CT appearance of sclerosing peritonitis in patients on chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe the CT appearances of sclerosing peritonitis (SP) in patients on chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and to compare these findings with the CT appearances in a control group of CAPD patients who did not develop SP.

METHOD

The CT findings in 10 patients with SP were compared with those from a "control group" of 71 patients without SP who were on long-term CAPD and had also undergone at least one CT examination. Particular reference on CT examination was made to the appearance of the peritoneum and small bowel and the presence or absence of loculated fluid collections.

RESULTS

Peritoneal abnormalities (calcification/thickening) were noted in 100%, loculated fluid collections in 90%, and small bowel abnormalities (tethering/dilatation) in 60% of the patients with SP. In the control group of patients, peritoneal abnormalities were noted in only 7%, loculated fluid collections in 15%, and small bowel dilatation in 5.7%.

CONCLUSION

Peritoneal thickening, peritoneal calcification, loculated fluid collections, and tethering of the small bowel appear to be diagnostic of SP. In a small group of patients with follow-up CT scans, new, or progression of, CT findings correlated with the clinical severity of SP.