Pilot Evaluation of a Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy Instrument for Percutaneous Renal Biopsy in Dogs

Kidney biopsies in dogs are commonly obtained using automated spring-loaded biopsy instruments. Interpretation of biopsies from dogs with glomerular disease requires examination of at least 5–10 glomeruli, with at least two biopsies usually required for full evaluation. The purpose of this study was to compare quality and interpretability of renal biopsies obtained from healthy dogs with a large-gauge, vacuum-assisted biopsy instrument versus two biopsies obtained with a spring-loaded biopsy needle. Twenty dogs were randomized into two groups, and percutaneous, ultrasound-guided renal biopsies were evaluated using standard criteria. There were no significant differences in the number of biopsies that contained renal tissue, cortex, or medulla. Biopsies obtained with either instrument contained an adequate number of glomeruli and an equivalent number of arterioles and severity of tissue compression. Differences included easier penetration of the renal capsule and collection of sufficient tissue for interpr...