Role of Renal Biopsy in the Management of Renal Cancer: Concordance between Ultrasound/CT-Guided Biopsy Results and Definitive Pathology, Adverse Events, and Complication Rate

Abstract

(1) Background: In the last decade, the number of detected renal cancer cases has increased, with the highest incidence in Western countries. Although renal biopsy is reported as a safe procedure, it is not adopted in all centres. As it is not possible to accurately distinguish benign tumours using imaging, this may lead to overtreatment. Most of the cancer detected on imaging is treated by surgery, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), or cryotherapy. (2) Methods: This was a single-centre retrospective study of 225 patients studied preoperatively with ultrasound (US)/CT-guided renal biopsy, with the aim of supporting clinical management. Decisions regarding the biopsy were based on either MDT indication or physician preference. US-guided renal biopsy was the first option for all patients; CT-guided biopsy was used when US-guided biopsy was not feasible. The efficacy of renal biopsy in terms of diagnostic performance and the concordance between biopsy results and definitive pathology were investigated. Additionally, adverse events related to the biopsy were recorded and analysed. Data collected throughout the study were analysed using binary logistic regression, Fisher's exact test, and Pearson's chi-square test to investigate possible correlations between post-procedural complications and the size of the lesion. (3) Results: Renal biopsy was not diagnostic in 23/225 (10.2%) patients. A CT-guided approach was necessary in 20/225 patients after failure of US-guided biopsy. The complication rate of renal biopsy was 4.8% overall-all Clavien grade I and without any serious sequelae. Interestingly, complications occurred in patients with very different sizes of renal cell carcinoma. No correlation between complications and anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs was found. No seeding was reported among the patients who underwent partial/radical nephrectomy. (4) Conclusions: Renal biopsy was shown to be safe and effective, with a high concordance between biopsy results and definitive pathology and a low rate of complications. The use of a CT-guided approach whenever the US-guided approach failed improved the diagnostic performance of renal biopsy.

Keywords: CT-guided biopsy; kidney cancer; renal biopsy; small renal masses; ultrasound-guided biopsy.