Clinicopathological Evaluation of the Kidney Biopsies: Our Center’s Experience

OBJECTIVES: Kidney biopsy is a valuable tool for both diagnosis and to guide treatment of renal diseases. In this report, we aimed both clinical and pathological evaluation of the kidney biopsies in our institution.

MATERIAL and METHODS: Kidney biopsies in adult patients performed between 2002-2011 at the Department of Nephrology were analyzed. Biopsies were performed with the guidance of ultrasonography, and 16 and 18 G needles for two cores were used. At least seven glomeruli and one artery was accepted as adequate for diagnosis.

RESULTS: Five hundred thirty six kidney biopsy reports was evaluated. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 42.80±16.66 years (16-85 years old), and 55.4% of the patients was male. The most frequent indication of the kidney biopsies were nephrotic range proteinuria with 63.43%. The most common histopathological diagnosis in primary and secondary glomerular diseases was membranous nephropathy (n=88, 16.4%) and amyloidosis (n=96, 17.9%) respectively. The most frequent diagnosis of the biopsies performed due to acute kidney injury was rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis (n=20, 3.7%). The major complication rate was low (0.18%).

CONCLUSION: Nephrotic range proteinuria was the most frequent indication for the kidney biopsy in our institution. Membranous nephropathy and amyloidosis were the most frequent primary and secondary glomerular diseases. Complication rate in percutaneous kidney biopsy with the guidance of ultrasonography is low.