Role of ultrasound in revealing complications following percutaneous renal biopsy in children

Abstract

This retrospective case series aimed to investigate the role of ultrasound immediately post-percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) for detecting post-biopsy complications in pediatric patients. Data from 380 (male/female = 209/171) consecutive biopsies of native kidney tissue of 344 children from January 2001 to October 2009 were analyzed to investigate the role of an ultrasound immediately post-PRB and the predictive value of demographic, clinical, and baseline chemistry factors in predicting the risk of post-PRB complications. Post-PRB ultrasound identified hematoma formation in 33 (8.7%) patients. Of the 19 (5.0%) patients whose hematomas were large (≥ 1 cm), post-biopsy courses of 16 patients were clinically complicated. On the other hand, of the 14 patients whose hematomas were small (< 1 cm), all patients but one showed an uncomplicated clinical course. Of the 17 complications, 79.1% were detected within the first 24 hours and 21.9% (cases of resorption fever) between 24 and 144 hours post-PRB. Age ≥ 10 is an independent risk factor for post-PRB complication. Age ≥ 10 is an independent risk factor for post-PRB complication. After the procedure, the formation of a large hematoma predicted a complicated clinical course.