Diagnostic value of modified fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the kidney in glomerular diseases

43 renal fine-needles aspirates, obtained with a modified sampling technique were subjected to ultrastructural examination with the aim of assessing the diagnostic value of this method in various glomerular diseases. Findings in the aspiration specimens, consisting of solitary glomeruli, were regarded as diagnostic in 35% of the cases. When considered together with clinical data, the fine-needle aspiration biopsies were suggestive of diagnosis or provided valuable information in a further 49% of the cases. Due to the small outer diameter of the fine-needle, 0.7 mm, complications following this kind of biopsy are practically negligible. Thus, it offers a safe alternative to the conventional renal biopsy methods utilizing large-bored cutting needles in cases where biopsies with these methods are contraindicated.