Diagnostic value and safety of percutaneous kidney biopsy in experience of one clinical center

UNLABELLED: Percutaneous kidney biopsy is a widely applied diagnostic procedure providing with kidney tissue for microscopy. AIM OF THE STUDY: The assessment of diagnostic value of kidney tissue specimens gained by percutaneous biopsy and the assessment of that method's safety. MATERIAL: 119 percutaneous kidney biopsies performed on patients of Pediatric Clinic in Zabrze from 1998 through 2007 were analysed. RESULTS: Histopathological diagnosis was assessed in 107 cases (90%). The other 12 specimens (10%) were described by the pathomorphologist as non-diagnostic. In analysed group of patients serious complications were noted in 5 cases (4.2%): massive haematuria (in 2 cases), massive bleeding in perirenal space (in 3 cases including 1 resulting in nephrectomy). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous kidney biopsy is a valuable diagnostic procedure. Because of possible complications it is very important to comply with indications and contraindications established for that procedure.