[Ultrasonic-guided percutaneous renal biopsy in patients with renal insufficiency]

64 percutaneous renal biopsies were done on 60 patients with renal impairment (serum creatinine level more than 1.5 mg%) under sonographic guidance. In 62 biopsies (96.8%), more than 3 glomeruli were seen, in 45 biopsies (70.3%) the amount of at least 10 glomeruli could be obtained, this being the amount desirable for a good histological diagnosis; 8 cases (12.5%) presented with minor complications after the biopsies. All of them resolved spontaneously. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous renal biopsy is a safe procedure for rapid diagnosis and induction of a specific therapy in patients with renal impairment.