Genital Edema in Patients Undergoing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)

Two patients who developed massive genital edema while on CAPD were investigated by peritoneal scintigraphy with Tc99m-glucoheptonate. In one the genital swelling was due to an umbilical hernia and in the other it was due to an abdominal-wall hernia. After the hernia was repaired CAPD could be continued. We recommend peritoneal scintigraphy as a technique for the investigaiton of leakage of peritoneal fluid in patients undergoing CAPD. Recently genital swelling has been described as a complication of CAPD (I, 2). In one patient an isotope technique demonstrated an open processus vaginalis (1), and in four patients (2) scrotal or labial edema was due to an inguinal hernia. This communication describes two patients with genital edema which was due to an umbilical hernia in one, and to an abdominal wall hernia in the other.