A kidney biopsy is the removal of a small piece of kidney tissue for examination.
How the Test is Performed
A kidney biopsy is done in the hospital. The two most common ways to do a kidney biopsy are percutaneous and open. These are described below.
Percutaneous biopsy
- Percutaneous means through the skin. Most kidney biopsies are done this way.
- You may receive medicine to make you drowsy.
- You lie on your stomach. If you have a transplanted kidney, you lie on your back.
- The doctor marks the spot on the skin where the biopsy needle is inserted.
- The skin is cleaned.
- Numbing medicine (anesthetic) is injected under the skin near the kidney area.
- The doctor makes a tiny cut in the skin. Ultrasound images are used to find the proper location. Sometimes another imaging method, such as CT, is used.
- The doctor inserts a biopsy needle through the skin to the surface of the kidney. You are asked to take and hold a deep breath as the needle goes into the kidney.
- If the doctor is not using ultrasound guidance, you may be asked to take several deep breaths. This allows the doctor to know the needle is in place.
- The needle may be inserted more than once if more than one tissue sample is needed.
- The needle is removed. Pressure is applied to the biopsy site to stop any bleeding.
- After the procedure, a bandage is applied to the biopsy site.
Open biopsy
In some cases, your doctor may recommend a surgical biopsy. This method is used when a larger piece of tissue is needed.
- You receive medicine (anesthesia) that allows you to sleep and be pain-free.
- The surgeon makes a small surgical cut (incision).
- The surgeon locates the part of the kidney from which the biopsy tissue needs to be taken. The tissue is removed.
- The incision is closed with stitches (sutures).
After percutaneous or open biopsy, you will likely stay in the hospital for at least 12 hours. You will receive pain medicines and fluids by mouth or through a vein (IV). Your urine will be checked for heavy bleeding. A small amount of bleeding is normal after a biopsy.
Follow instructions about caring for yourself after the biopsy. This may include not lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) for 2 weeks after the biopsy.
How to Prepare for the Test
Tell your health care provider:
- About medicines you are taking, including vitamins and supplements, herbal remedies, and over-the-counter medicines
- If you have any allergies
- If you have bleeding problems or if you take blood thinning medicines such as warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin
- If you are or think you might be pregnant
How the Test will Feel
Numbing medicine is used, so the pain during the procedure is often slight. The numbing medicine may burn or sting when first injected.
After the procedure, the area may feel tender or sore for a few days.
You may see bright, red blood in the urine the first 24 hours after the test. If the bleeding lasts longer, tell your provider.
Why the Test is Performed
Your doctor may order a kidney biopsy if you have:
- An unexplained drop in kidney function
- Blood in the urine that does not go away
- Protein in the urine found during a urine test
- A transplanted kidney, which needs to be monitored using a biopsy
Normal Results
A normal result is when the kidney tissue shows normal structure.
What Abnormal Results Mean
An abnormal result means there are changes in the kidney tissue. This may be due to:
- Infection
- Poor blood flow through the kidney
- Connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus
- Other diseases that may be affecting the kidney, such as diabetes
- Kidney transplant rejection , if you had a transplant
Risks
Risks include:
- Bleeding from the kidney (in rare cases, may require a blood transfusion)
- Bleeding into the muscle, which might cause soreness
- Infection (small risk)
FAQ
How serious is a kidney biopsy?
- Serious complications of kidney biopsy are not common. Less serious complications can occur, and can include bleeding, pain, and the development of an abnormal connection between two blood vessels (a fistula). Rare complications include infection, damage to blood vessels or other organs, or urine leaks.
What does a renal biopsy show?
- A kidney biopsy helps doctors identify the cause of kidney problems so they can treat the condition effectively. It can reveal scarring, inflammation (swelling), and protein deposits that cannot be identified with other tests, such as ultrasounds or blood and urine tests.
How long is recovery from kidney biopsy?
Your Recovery
- After the test, you will be told to lie down on your back for several hours. After this, you should avoid strenuous activity for about 1 week. It’s normal to feel some soreness in the area of the biopsy for 2 to 3 days. You may have a small amount of bleeding on the bandage after the test.
Can you go home after a kidney biopsy?
- The biopsy will take about 15 to 30 minutes. The whole procedure will take about an hour. After the biopsy, you will rest in bed for several hours. If no problems develop, you will be able to go home.
How long does it take to get results from a kidney biopsy?
- A health care provider most often receives the complete biopsy results from the pathologist in about a week. In urgent cases, a person may receive a preliminary report within 24 hours. The health care provider will review the results with the person during a follow-up visit.
How do you feel after a kidney biopsy?
What happens after the kidney biopsy?
