Unit Code 4986:
Renal Biopsy, Electron Microscopy
Useful For
Evaluation of patients with undiagnosed kidney disease
Following the course of therapy or progression of disease
Diagnosing disease with only electron microscopic alterations
Clinical Information
Kidney biopsy has proven of value in the clinical evaluation and
management of patients with undiagnosed kidney disease.
The clinical setting may include acute renal failure, nephrotic syndrome,
asymptomatic proteinuria and hematuria. Kidney diseases in the
setting of a systemic disease are often diagnosed on kidney biopsy.
Biopsy of the transplanted kidney is important in the determination of
the presence of acute rejection, infection, or recurrent disease.
Optimal interpretaion of a kidney biopsy requires integration
of clinical and laboratory results with light microscopic,
immunofluorescent histology, and electron microscopy findings.
Electron microscopy is required for the diagosis of Alport syndrome,
dense deposit disease, thin glomeular basement membrane
nephropathy, and fibrillary glomerulonephritis; and is helpful in
evaluating secondary causes of glomerulonephritis such as lupus
nephritis.
Reference Values
The laboratory will provide an interpretive report.
Interpretation
A written report is issued along with appropriate annotated electron
microscopic photomicrographs.
Cautions
Accurate and timely interpretation of a kidney biopsy requires
integration of light microscopic, immunofluorescent histology, and
electron microscopic findings with clinical and laboratory data.
Special Instructions and Forms
| • | Renal Biopsy Patient Information Sheet |
| • | Renal Biopsy Procedures of Handling Tissue for Light Micropscopy, Immunohistology, and Electron Microscopy |
Clinical Reference
Tisher CC: Clinical indication for kidney biopsy. In Renal Pathology: with
Clinical and Functional Correlations. Vol. II. 2nd edition. Edited by CC
Tisher, BM Brenner. Philadelphia, JB Lippincott Book Company, 1989,
pp 2-10
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