Complications of percutaneous renal biopsy: an analysis of 1,000 consecutive biopsies

In a series of 1,000 consecutive percutaneous renal biopsies, adequate tissue for diagnosis was obtained in 94.9%. The rate of complications was 8.1% and was directly related to 1. age of the patient, 2. presence of renal insufficiency, and 3. arterial hypertension. The use of fluoroscopic control for localization of the kidney did not affect the rate of complications, nor did it improve the success rate in obtaining adequate tissue.