Mobile Site ›
Print Page Email Page

Interpretive Handbook

‹ Back to index | Back to list | More information

Test 88501:
Renal Pathology Consultation

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

The Mayo Renal Pathology service is staffed by board certified pathologists who have a special interest in non-neoplastic diseases of the kidney.

 

Kidney biopsy has proven to be of value in the clinical evaluation and management of patients with kidney disease, including acute and/or chronic renal insufficiency, nephrotic syndrome, nephritic syndrome, proteinuria and/or hematuria, and in the overall management of renal transplant recipients.

 

Optimal interpretation of a kidney biopsy requires integration of clinical and laboratory results with light microscopic, immunofluorescent histology, and electron microscopy findings.

Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

The evaluation and management of patients with kidney disease

 

Following the progression of known renal disease and/or response to therapy

 

Determining the cause of dysfunction in the transplanted kidney (allograft)

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

A verbal report of the findings is typically communicated by phone to the submitting Nephrologist, and an initial report based on the light microscopic and immunofluorescent histology interpretation is also faxed to the Nephrologist. A report is also sent to the submitting Pathology Laboratory.

 

Representative electron microscopy images and significant positive immunofluorescent stain findings can be provided on a CD upon request.

 

In most cases, the electron microscopy results are reported as an addendum and a final report is issued include these findings. This final report is again faxed to the submitting Nephrologist and mailed to the submitting Pathology Laboratory, along with a representative set of the light microscopy slides.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Accurate and timely interpretation of a kidney biopsy requires integration of light microscopic, immunofluorescent histology, and electron microscopic findings with clinical and laboratory data. Failure to provide the relevant clinical history and laboratory results may result in a delay in the interpretation or the inability to adequately correlate the biopsy findings with the clinical picture.

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

An interpretive report will be provided.