Ultrasound guided percutaneous renal biopsy

We performed percutaneous ultrasound guided renal biopsy on 27 patients ages 16 to 76 years. A 14 gauge cutting needle was used. Twenty-six patients had medical renal disease; one patient had a renal mass. Patients were followed by sonograms performed immediately post procedure as well the following day. Serum hemoglobin was obtained prior to the procedure as well as one day post biopsy. Complications included five small hematomas and one transient mild hydronephrosis secondary to blood clots. The hematomas were all first noted on the scan one day post biopsy. We conclude that ultrasound guided percutaneous renal biopsy is a safe procedure which is easily performed by the radiologist.