Renal biopsy

Alternative Names: Kidney biopsy

A renal, or kidney, biopsy involves removing a tissue sample from the kidney for analysis in a laboratory. It is done to determine the cause of kidney disease or to assess the health of a transplanted kidney. The test is done on an empty stomach. The skin on your back, over the kidney, is numbed with a local anaesthetic. Then a biopsy needle is passed through the skin to the kidney where a tissue sample is taken.

What is it?
A renal biopsy is a procedure where a tissue sample is removed from the kidney and sent to a laboratory for analysis. It is normally done in hospital.

Why is it done?
A renal biopsy is done to help diagnose the cause of kidney disease. Doctors will often be able to make an exact diagnosis of exactly what is wrong with a person’s kidney. It is sometimes done to assess the health of a transplanted kidney.

What happens?

Before – how to prepare
You need to sign a consent form. You will need to fast (eat and drink nothing) for 8 hours before the test.

During – how the test is done
You will undress from the waist up and lie on a couch, face-down. An area of skin on your back, over the kidney, will be thoroughly cleaned. The doctor will then inject some local anaesthetic under the skin, to numb the area. A biopsy needle is then passed through the skin to the kidney, and some tissue is removed. This may be a bit painful. The tissue sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis.

After the test
You may have some aching pain over the biopsy area and you will probably have some blood in your urine (if this does not settle within 24 hours, contact your doctor). You will usually remain in hospital for 24 hours. You should avoid strenuous exercise for 10 days after the biopsy.

Risks and Compilations
There is a risk of bleeding and of infection.

Short Description
A renal, or kidney, biopsy involves removing a tissue sample from the kidney for analysis in a laboratory.

Keywords
kidney biopsy, renal biopsy, kidney test