Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2016 Feb 5;11(2):354-62.
doi: 10.2215/CJN.05750515. Epub 2015 Sep 2.

The Native Kidney Biopsy: Update and Evidence for Best Practice

Jonathan J Hogan  1 , Michaela Mocanu  2 , Jeffrey S Berns  2
Affiliations
Review

The Native Kidney Biopsy: Update and Evidence for Best Practice

Jonathan J Hogan et al. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. .

Abstract

The kidney biopsy is the gold standard in the diagnosis and management of many diseases. Since its introduction in the 1950s, advancements have been made in biopsy technique to improve diagnostic yield while minimizing complications. Here, we review kidney biopsy indications, techniques, and complications in the modern era. We also discuss patient populations in whom special consideration must be given when considering a kidney biopsy and the important role that the kidney biopsy plays in nephrology training. These data are presented to develop best practice strategies for this essential procedure.

Keywords: biopsy; disease management; glomerular disease; humans; kidney; kidney biopsy; kidney disease; nephrectomy; nephrology.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Renal biopsy specimens as seen with a dissecting microscope. Black arrows point to glomeruli (wet prep, ×10).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Cameron JS, Hicks J: The introduction of renal biopsy into nephrology from 1901 to 1961: A paradigm of the forming of nephrology by technology. Am J Nephrol 17: 347–358, 1997 - PubMed
    1. Madaio MP: Renal biopsy. Kidney Int 38: 529–543, 1990 - PubMed
    1. Korbet SM: Percutaneous renal biopsy. Semin Nephrol 22: 254–267, 2002 - PubMed
    1. Burstein DM, Korbet SM, Schwartz MM: The use of the automatic core biopsy system in percutaneous renal biopsies: A comparative study. Am J Kidney Dis 22: 545–552, 1993 - PubMed
    1. Doyle AJ, Gregory MC, Terreros DA: Percutaneous native renal biopsy: Comparison of a 1.2-mm spring-driven system with a traditional 2-mm hand-driven system. Am J Kidney Dis 23: 498–503, 1994 - PubMed