Encapsulated Peritoneal Sclerosis in an Adolescent With Kidney Transplant After Long-Term Peritoneal Dialysis.

ABSTRACT

Encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis is a rare complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis that has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. We present an 18-year-old female patient who was first diagnosed with renal failure at 8 years of age and who had 7 years of peritoneal dialysis and then hemodialysis before kidney transplant from a deceased donor. Before transplant, the patient developed encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis and was treated with tamoxifen and steroids. Three years after transplant, the patient presented with complaints of vomiting, abdominal pain, and abdominal distension and was again diagnosed with encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis. The patient required excretory paracentesis, pulse steroid treatment for 3 days, and treatment with methylprednisone and tamoxifen, which resulted in regression of signs and symptoms. Factors such as long-term peritoneal dialysis, a history of bacterial peritonitis, and use of high-concentration dialysate may cause encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis, but symptoms can recur after transplant, as shown in our patient. Thus, it is important to recognize that encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis may cause graft loss due to the various complications that it can cause.