A Kidney biopsy is a diagnostic test that involves collecting small pieces of tissue, usually through a needle, for examination with a microscope.
A kidney biopsy can help in forming a diagnosis and in choosing the best course of treatment.
A kidney biopsy may be recommended for any of the following conditions:
The most common way to perform a kidney Biopsy is using Ultrasound guidance. Kidney biopsies may also be done using CT scan guidance. Under some circumstances, the biopsy may be performed by running the biopsy catheter through one of the neck veins -- this is called a transjugular biopsy.
A pathologist will look at the kidney tissue samples to check for unusual deposits, scarring, or infecting organisms that would explain a person’s condition.
Before the kidney biopsy, patients should
After the kidney biopsy, patients should
Risks include
Results
A normal value is when the kidney tissue shows normal structure.
An abnormal result means there are changes in the kidney tissue. This may be due to infection, poor blood flow through the kidney, connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, or other diseases that may be affecting the kidney.