Percutaneous real-time ultrasound-guided renal biopsy performed solely by nephrologists: A case series

Renal biopsy is an integral part of the nephrologists’ diagnostic armamentarium. Usually it is performed by radiologists or nephrologists with radiologist’s assistance. Our aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of percutaneous ultrasound-guided renal biopsy performed solely by nephrologists. We performed real-time ultrasound-guided renal biopsy on 37 patients (N group). The results were then compared with those of a similar number of biopsies done with radiologist’s support (NR group) immediately prior to these. In the N group, 36 biopsies (97.3%) were successful and were histopathologically adequate, whereas in the NR group, all biopsies were successful but only 28 were adequate (75.68%). Eighteen patients required only a single attempt in the N group, whereas majority (34 patients) in the NR group required two or more attempts. The average attempt per bit of renal tissue was 1.22 in both the groups. The average number of passes per patient was 1.77 in the N group and 2.32 in the NR group. The mean size of renal tissue obtained was 1.41 ± 0.47 cm in the N group and 1.19 ± 0.42 cm in the NR group. The average number of glomeruli was 15.62 ± 5.26 and 13.7 ± 7.38 in the N and NR groups, respectively (P<0.05). In the N group, there were no complications except two cases of post procedural hematuria that was managed conservatively. There was no need for blood transfusion and both of them were discharged after 48 hours. No patient had peri-renal collection or hematoma on repeat ultrasonography of the abdomen at 24 hours. However, in the NR group, five patients developed complications and one patient required laparotomy. Our study shows that percutaneous ultrasound-guided renal biopsy can be safely and successfully performed entirely by nephrologists without outside assistance. In our series, nephrologists who performed solely took fewer attempts, had better yield and fewer complications when compared to biopsies performed with radiologist’s assistance. More and more nephrologists should take up this simple yet vital procedure.