A kidney biopsy is the removal of a small piece of kidney tissue or cells. A pathologist (a doctor who specializes in tissue diagnosis) uses a microscope to look at the tissue for abnormalities.
A kidney biopsy is done to diagnose a disease or medical condition.
A kidney biopsy may be done if you have:
Once the tissue is examined, your doctor can make a diagnosis and provide treatment.
If you had a kidney transplant , it may also be done to see if your new kidney is working properly.
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you have a kidney biopsy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the biopsy.
You will receive a local anesthetic to numb your skin. You may also receive a light sedative.
This procedure is usually done in an outpatient setting with no need for an overnight stay. Your skin will be cleaned; this may be on your back or abdomen. The doctor will then inject a local anesthetic into the area where the biopsy will be taken. Next, your kidney will be located using either ultrasound or x-ray. Then, long needles will be inserted to collect tissue samples. A special instrument may be used to insert the needles. During the collection, you may be asked to hold your breath. Once the samples are collected, a bandage will be placed on your skin.
About an hour
The local anesthetic will block the pain during the biopsy. Afterwards, you may feel sore where the biopsy was taken. Ask your doctor which pain reliever is right for you.
You will be monitored for a few hours after your biopsy. You will be asked to remain lying down to reduce the chance of bleeding. Your pulse and blood pressure will be monitored. Your biopsy samples will be sent to the laboratory for testing. Once you are feeling well and the doctor feels it is safe, you will be sent home.
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
In case of an emergency, CALL 911.
RESOURCES:
National Kidney Foundation
http://www.kidney.org
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
http://www.kidney.ab.ca
References:
How is kidney cancer diagnosed? American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_3x_how_is_kidney_cancer_diagnosed_22.asp?sitearea=cri. Accessed September 22, 2009.
Israel GM, Francis IR, Baumgarten DA, et al; Expert Panel on Urologic Imaging. Indeterminate renal mass. American College of Radiology (ACR); 2007.
Kidney biopsy. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/biopsy/. Accessed September 22, 2009.
Scholten A. Biopsy. EBSCO Health Library. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15&topicID=81. Last reviewed December 2008. Last updated July 24, 2009. Accessed September 22, 2009.
Last reviewed October 2009 by Adrienne Carmack, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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