ALL ABOUT KIDNEY BIOPSY

WHY IS KIDNEY BIOPSY DONE?

Kidney biopsy is done for diagnosis of certain kidney diseases or to find out how much damage has happened to the kidneys.

DOES KIDNEY BIOPSY REQUIRE HOSPITAL ADMISSION?

Biopsy usually requires a day of hospital admission but may sometimes be performed as a daycare procedure.

WHO WILL DO THE KIDNEY BIOPSY?

It is done by a nephrologist or radiologist with ultrasound guidance.

HOW IS KIDNEY BIOPSY DONE?

The patient needs to lie down in a prone position (face down) for the procedure. The doctor takes one or two small pieces of kidney tissue using a needle. The patient needs to hold their breath when the needle is passed. The biopsy is relatively painless and is done under local anesthesia with ultrasound guidance. It usually takes around 30 minutes for a kidney biopsy, sometimes it may take longer. The patient can lie on his or her back after the procedure. Absolute bed rest is advised for at least 6 hours and it will be better to be in bed for 24 hours especially if your doctor thinks there is a risk of bleeding. The patient requires an overnight hospital stay to monitor blood pressure & heart rate and to see if there is blood in urine.

IS CONSENT REQUIRED?

You should understand the reason for doing the kidney biopsy, and the benefits and risks of the procedure. Clarify all the details with your healthcare professional before signing the consent.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS BEFORE KIDNEY BIOPSY?

Ultrasound of the kidneys and blood investigations are done before the procedure.

Your blood pressure needs to be under control before the biopsy - titrate your blood pressure as per the advice from your doctor.

You have to stop blood thinners (Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Ticagrelor, Warfarin, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran, etc) a few days before the procedure - when to stop these drugs will be advised by your nephrologist.

If your Creatinine levels are high the risk of bleeding goes up and you may be given a medication (Desmopressin) before the procedure to reduce the risk.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE RISKS OF KIDNEY BIOPSY?

The procedure is very safe and the risk is very small. Bleeding is the risk associated with biopsy and is rarely significant enough to require a blood transfusion. There are no long-term complications related to the biopsy.

WHO GIVES THE REPORT FOR THE BIOPSY?

A pathologist trained in kidney pathology gives the final report. Light Microscopy and Immunofluorescence is routinely done in all biopsies and Electron microscopy is done for selected cases. It usually takes a few days to get the final report (though a preliminary report may be conveyed to the treating nephrologist earlier)

         

                                                                                                 Dr Geo Philip John (Consultant Nephrologist)