[Work-up of a renal biopsy: what is established? What will follow?]

Percutaneous kidney biopsy now represents the gold standard for diagnosis of most primary and secondary kidney disease. It allows identification and classification of renal disorders and is the basis for standardized therapeutic concepts. As with any diagnostic method, the value of the data produced depends on experience and reproducible procedures. For kidney biopsy this includes resection and adequate methodologies using representative kidney tissue. The procedures required are shown in detail and discussed.