Percutaneous renal biopsy adverse event rates: Coaxial or non-coaxial technique

The purpose of this study was to compare the coaxial and non-coaxial techniques in terms of adverse events (AEs) resulting from the percutaneous renal biopsy. A secondary aim was to determine the potential effect of the sclerosed glomeruli on AEs. Patients who underwent ultrasonography-guided percutaneous renal biopsy in our interventional radiology clinic between January 2013 and December 2021 were scanned retrospectively. Demographic data, laboratory findings, ultrasonography findings, numbers of glomeruli and sclerotic glomeruli in the material, and post-biopsy AEs were retrieved. Data from procedures performed using coaxial and non-coaxial techniques were compared in terms of AEs. After applying exclusion criteria, 239 patients were included in the study (non-coaxial technique: 94 [60.7%] vs coaxial technique: 94 [39.3%]). The number of samples taken did not differ significantly between groups (2.60 ± 0.74 vs 2.55 ± 0.66, P = .835). However, the number of capsule passes was considerably lower in the coaxial group (2.60 ± 0.74 vs 1.08 ± 0.28, P < .001). The overall AE rate was 12.1% (n = 29). Mild-moderate AEs were significantly more common in the non-coaxial group compared to the coaxial group (n = 21 [14.5%] vs 1 [1.1%]; P < .001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in severe AE rates between the 2 groups (n = 4 [2.8%] vs n = 3 [3.2%]; P = .567). No significant correlation was found between number or proportion of sclerosed glomeruli and AEs. There was no significant difference in severe AEs between the 2 techniques. However, the coaxial technique was associated with a lower rate of mild-moderate AEs and fewer capsule passes.