Abstract
Objective. The objective of the study was to evaluate (i) the technique used at Universitas Hospital in comparison with other international centres also performing renal biopsies, (ii) the disease profile in patients undergoing renal biopsies, (iii) the complications experienced during and/or after the procedure, and (iv) the histological yield of the biopsies (amount of nephrons per biopsy taken) using this technique.
 
 Design. A retrospective descriptive analysis of all patients who underwent percutaneous renal biopsy under ultrasound (US) guidance at the Interventional Radiology Unit, Universitas Hospital, Bloemfontein, was undertaken for the period 1 January 2003 - 31 December 2008. Data obtained from the patients’ files and histology reports were statistically analysed.
 
 Results. A total of 112 patients qualified for inclusion in the study, all of whom had proof of renal failure and then had percutaneous renal biopsy performed under US guidance. The histology was diagnostic in 111 (99.1%) of the cases, with more than 5 nephrons present in 105 (93.5%) of the cases. Minor complications were found in 29 (25.8%) of the patients, but no major complications were noted. Primary renal disease was found in 67 (59.8%) of patients, and the renal pathology and failure in 45 (40.2%) of the patients were shown histologically to be owing to systemic disease.
 
 Conclusion. The technique utilised for performing percutaneous renal biopsy under US guidance at the Interventional Radiology Unit was shown to be safe, with a diagnostic histological yield comparable with international standards. A small majority or patients suffered primary renal disease in comparison with renal failure owing to systemic illness.
Highlights
Renal biopsies play a pivotal role in determining the diagnosis in patients with impaired renal function and with other renal diseases
The relevance of anti-platelet agents, including aspirin, and whether these should be stopped pre-biopsy was addressed by Mackinnon et al.[8] who found that minor complications were reduced when anti-platelet agents were stopped 5 days beforehand
A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted at the Interventional Radiology Unit, Universitas Hospital, Bloemfontein
Summary
Renal biopsies play a pivotal role in determining the diagnosis in patients with impaired renal function and with other renal diseases. For cost containment and the inherent safety of the procedure, renal biopsies are performed as outpatient procedures, with the patient being discharged after 6 - 8 hours of observation. This applies to stable patients biopsied by experienced interventional radiologists or nephrologists.[6]. The relevance of anti-platelet agents, including aspirin, and whether these should be stopped pre-biopsy was addressed by Mackinnon et al.[8] who found that minor complications were reduced when anti-platelet agents were stopped 5 days beforehand These minor complications include macroscopic haematuria and perinephric haematoma that need no further intervention. The cost implications and medico-legal aspects related to this procedure are of specific interest in South Africa.[5]
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