Sclerosing Peritonitis: Report of Three Cases

Abstract

Sclerosing peritonitis is a dramatic complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and chronic peritoneal inflammation. Both visceral and parietal surfaces of the peritoneal cavity are involved. A thickened peritoneum encloses the small intestine in a «cocoon» formation which often leads to intestinal occlusion. CT scan may help obtaining an early diagnosis but diagnosis is often established with some delay or even at the time of laparotomy. Our report describes three cases of this uncommon peritoneal fibrosis syndrome which caused intestinal obstruction requiring surgical intervention.

Key Words:

• Sclerosing peritonitis
• peritoneal fibrosis
• peritoneovenous shunt
• peritoneal dialysis
• end-stage renal failure

Additional information

Notes on contributors

D. Dequanter

D. Dequanter Paardestraat 48A B-1640 Sint Genesius Rode, Belgium