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Relationship between glomerular number in fresh kidney biopsy samples and light microscopy samples
Kosuke Sonoda1, Makoto Harada1, Daiki Aomura1
1Department of Nephrology, Shinshu University Hospital, 3-1-1, Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan.
Clinical and Experimental Nephrology
|February 1, 2022
Summary
On-site kidney biopsy evaluation correlates with final light microscopy results, but tubulointerstitial lesions can cause underestimation. Evaluating fresh kidney biopsy cortex length may offer an alternative assessment when glomeruli are obscured.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Pathology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- On-site evaluation of fresh kidney biopsy (FKB) samples is crucial for assessing specimen adequacy.
- Poor correlation between FKB and light microscopy (LM) glomerular counts exists in some cases.
- The utility of on-site FKB evaluation requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the correlation between glomerular counts in FKB and LM samples.
- To identify factors influencing the accuracy of on-site FKB glomerular estimations.
- To evaluate alternative methods for specimen adequacy assessment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cross-sectional observational study.
- Analysis of 129 kidney biopsy cases.
- Correlation analysis between FKB and LM glomerular numbers, and logistic regression for associated factors.
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlation found between FKB and LM glomerular counts (median ratio 0.74).
- Interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) and interstitial inflammation were associated with underestimation.
- FKB cortex length correlated with LM glomerular number, irrespective of tubulointerstitial lesions.
Conclusions:
- On-site glomerular counts serve as a reference for LM findings.
- Tubulointerstitial lesions can impede accurate on-site glomerular assessment, leading to potential underestimation.
- FKB cortex length evaluation is a potential substitute for on-site glomerular counting in challenging cases.
