Value of magnetic resonance/computed tomography peritoneography technique in the evaluation of dialysate leakage and hernia following peritoneal dialysis.

Magnetic resonance and computed tomography peritoneography are diagnostic imaging procedures that involve the intraperitoneal administration of a mixture of contrast material and dialysate for direct visualization of the peritoneal cavity and assessment of the integrity of peritoneal membrane. In a clinical series of patients with end-stage renal disease treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, who presented with genital or low abdominal edema, advanced peritoneographic imaging studies allowed direct visualization of the dialysate leakage and peritoneal hernias. Both magnetic resonance and computed tomography peritoneographic procedures allowed accurate diagnosis of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis-related complications that may need to be addressed promptly so that the effectiveness of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is not compromised.

Laparoscopic placement of the Tenckhoff catheter for peritoneal dialysis.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis catheters can be inserted by open laparotomy as well as by laparoscopy. A prospective randomized study was scheduled to investigate the results of the laparoscopic versus open laparotomy technique for placement of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis catheters. Fifty patients were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups of 25 patients each.

Effect of L-carnitine supplementation on lipid parameters in hemodialysis patients.

It has been reported that cumulative carnitine losses through dialysis membranes may worsen hyperlipidemia during long-term hemodialysis. However, carnitine supplementation has not shown a consistent beneficial response. We undertook the present study to determine if there is any hypolipidemic effect of L-carnitine on Greek dialysis patients in concert with the dialysate buffer composition (acetate or bicarbonate).