Renal Biopsy in Children: Analysis of 61 Cases of Open Wedge Biopsy and Comparison with Percutaneous Biopsy

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Open wedge renal biopsy was done in 61 children with undiagnosed renal disease. Light microscopic and EM interpretations were compatible with each other in 66% of the cases. However, in approximately 1/3 of the cases there was a disparity in diagnosis of one microscopic examination vs. the other. Regardless, the greatest yield for establishment of diagnosis is obtained by using light microscopy and EM. No deaths were related to renal biopsy. Minor complications occurred in 9% of the cases, none of which required reoperation. Comparison of open wedge with percutaneous renal biopsy reveals that the mortality rate is probably less with the wedge technique. The incidence of complications is approximately the same for both procedures. Percutaneous biopsies resulted in a 10% failure rate to produce any renal tissue or the tissue obtained was inadequate for examination. Thus, diagnosis is not established and treatment is not instituted in 1 of 10 children who is still subject to the morbidity and complications of the needle procedure. However, open wedge biopsy always results in an adequate amount of renal tissue for these diagnostic studies. It can be used for children of all ages compared to percutaneous needle biopsy, which becomes increasingly more of a problem from various parameters with decreasing age of the child, even when performed successfully.