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Unit Code 8331:
Renal Biopsy, Light Microscopy

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Useful For

The evaluation of patients with undiagnosed kidney disease

 

Following the progression of disease or response to therapy

 

Determining the cause of dysfunction in the transplanted kidney

(allograft)

 

 

Clinical Information

Kidney biopsy has proven to be 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 prescence of acute rejection, infection, or recurrent disease.

 

Optimal interpretation of a kidney biopsy requires integration

of clinical and laboratory results with light microscopic,

immunofluorescent histology, and electron microscopy findings.

 

Tissue should always be submitted for evaluation by light microscopy.

In some instances, electron microscopy is required (e.g., Alport's syndrome,

dense deposit disease, minimal change nephropathy, thin basement

membrane disease, etc.) to make an accurate diagnosis and submission

of tissue for immunofluorescent histology is required to evaluate for

immune complex mediated disease.

 

We recommend that additional material be submitted for evaluation

by immunohistologic method.

Reference Values

The laboratory will provide an interpretive report.

Interpretation

A verbal report is given by phone upon completion of the light

microscopic examination.

 

A written report is subsequently issued along with histologic slides,

and will incorporate results of immunfluorescent histology and/or electron

microscopy if performed.

Cautions

Accurate and timely interpretation of a kidney biopsy requires

integration of light microscopic, immunofluorescent histology,

and selectron 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

1.   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

      Company, 1993, pp 75-84

 

2.   Pirani CL:  Evaluation of kidney biopsy specimens.  In Renal

      Pathology:  with Clinical and Functional Correlations. Vol. II. 2nd

      edition. Edited by CC Tisher, BM Brenner.  Philadelphia, JB Lippincott

      Company, 1993, pp 85-115

 

3.   Pirani CL, Croker BP:  Handling and processing of renal biopsy and

      nephrectomy specimens. In Renal Pathology:  with Clinical and

      Functional Correlations. Vol. II. 2nd edition. Edited by CC Tisher,

      BM Brenner. Philadelphia, JB Lippincott Company, 1993, pp 1683-1694

Key