Ultrasound-Guided Core Biopsy of the Kidneys in Infants and Children: Kuwait Experience

Abstract

Objective: Ultrasound-guided core renal biopsies were performed in children to describe the accuracy of this technique and compare it with the other techniques. Methods: Forty-six children, aged 9 months to 13 years, were biopsied with 14 G and 18 G Tru-cut needles, using a real-time ultrasound sector scanner. Results: Adequate biopsy samples were obtained from 88.2 and 86.9% of the biopsy procedures with 14 G and 18 G Tru-cut needles, respectively. No major complications were encountered. Minor complications were also minimal and seen in only 3 of our patients who were managed conservatively. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided Tru-cut renal biopsy is a safe and efficient method for performing renal biopsies in pediatric patients. The use of small needles (18 G) would reduce the complication rate while allowing retrieval of sufficient tissue for histological diagnosis.

Sonographic Assessment of Renal Size in Healthy Adults

“…Renal ultrasound is simple, inexpensive and can be done at the bedside to provide the clinician with important anatomical details of the kidneys with a low interobserver variability [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. It is also an essential procedure when performing renal biopsy in adults or children [ 4 , 5 ], with both renal length and cortical thickness being important parameters that should be within normal limits before the procedure [ 6 ]. The safety of the diagnostic procedure using ultrasound is well established [ 7 ].…”