Renal needle biopsy of the transplant kidney: vascular and urologic complications

The authors reviewed the complications of 114 needle biopsies performed in 103 transplant kidneys. The diagnostic and therapeutic approach has changed markedly as a result of the introduction of Doppler ultrasound and the possibility of selectively embolizing fistula tracts. Macroscopic haematuria was the most frequent complication (5%); in one case it appeared 1 week after biopsy and was complicated with obstructive anuria due to a pyeloureteric clot. The incidence of arteriovenous fistulae was fairly low (0.9%); a selective renal angiography was performed, confirming the vascular lesion and allowing its selective embolization. Perirenal blood collections were also rare and the amounts were small.