Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis with favorable outcome in hemodialysis: an unusual case with a literature review

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis is a rare condition of a poorly understood pathogenesis with recognized risk factors, such as medications, surgical interventions, systemic diseases, and malignancies. In endstage renal disease it has been associated with chronic peritoneal dialysis. We hereby report the case of a 59-year-old male hemodialysis patient, who was never treated with peritoneal dialysis and developed an unexplained massive ascites 4 months post laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstones. A second laparoscopy and histological evaluation revealed encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis-like findings with parietal peritoneum and spleen involvement. The patient was successfully treated for 12 months with prednisone and tamoxifen. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease in this case are discussed including peritoneal irritation by chronic cholecystitis, low-grade inflammation of hemodialysis, intraoperative complications and the hypothetical role of oxidized regenerated cellulose used for hemostasis. In conclusion, the suspicion of peritoneal sclerosis should be encountered in cases of unexplained ascites in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The early diagnosis includes laparoscopy and histological evaluation and can result in a good outcome under medical treatment; otherwise, there is a high possibility of bowel obstruction with fatal outcome.