Radiology - Having a Renal Biopsy

Introduction

This leaflet has been produced to give you some information regarding your renal biopsy. This leaflet is not intended to replace the discussion between you and your consultant or healthcare team. If you have any further questions, please contact the team looking after you.

What is a Renal Biopsy?

A renal biopsy is a procedure in which a small tissue sample is taken from your kidney and is sent to be looked at under a microscope. This procedure is done because your kidney(s) aren’t functioning properly, and a diagnosis may not have been possible by having blood tests and different scans. It may also be done if there is a mass/lesion in your kidney – in this case the mass/lesion will be biopsied.

Are there any alternatives?

There aren’t any other alternatives that will give a diagnosis like a biopsy. You may have already had blood tests, CT, MRI or Ultrasound scans to help aid the diagnosis.

Who will be performing the biopsy?

A radiologist will be performing the renal biopsy under ultrasound guidance. Radiologists are specially trained doctors at interpreting images and performing these procedures. The radiologist will be assisted by nurses and radiographers.

How to prepare for your renal biopsy

On the day of your procedure, you will be admitted to the day case unit, this is done so that you can be monitored before and after your procedure and any blood tests that need to be performed can be taken. Please contact your doctor or the department using the contact details in this leaflet if you are on any blood thinning medication as this may have to be stopped before the day of your procedure. A small plastic tube (cannula) will also be inserted before the procedure.

What happens during the procedure?

You will be asked to lie on a trolley usually on your front or side. Using an ultrasound machine or CT scanner, the radiologist will have a look at the best place to take a biopsy from. The radiologist will then ensure the area is sterile by cleaning their hands and wearing sterile gloves and gown, your skin will then be cleaned with an antiseptic and a local anaesthetic will be injected. Once the local anaesthetic has began to work the radiologist will use a biopsy needle to take samples of your kidney.

How long will it take?

Everyone’s situation will be different but as a guide you may be in the department for about 45 minutes to an hour. The biopsy itself will not take that long.

Will it hurt?

The biopsy should not be painful once the local anaesthetic has started to take effect. You will get a stinging feeling when the local anaesthetic is injected but this will wear off. If you do start to feel any pain during the procedure, then let one of the members of the team know.

What happens afterwards?

Once the procedure has been completed you will be taken back down to the day case unit where you will be monitored by the nurses on the ward and be kept on the trolley for 4-6 hours. Once the nurses are happy that you have recovered from the procedure you will be able to go home. You may notice that there is some blood in your urine.

Could you be pregnant?

If there is any chance you could be pregnant, please call 0161 206 5091 if your appointment is at Salford Royal Hospital. Please call 0161 656 1178 if your appointment is at Royal Oldham Hospital.

Is x-ray guidance dangerous?

All x-ray machines use potentially harmful x-rays. Modern equipment is designed to keep the dose you receive as low as possible. If your doctor has asked for this test, they will have decided that the benefits from the procedure outweigh the risks from the very small dose of radiation that you receive.

What if I cannot attend my appointment?

If you have any queries about your appointment or cannot attend, then please telephone the booking office on:

0161 204 2044/2404 (Salford Royal Hospital)
0161 624 0420 (Royal Oldham Hospital)
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.00pm.

You can also email:
salford.radiology.booking@nca.nhs.uk (Salford Royal Hospital)
bookingandscheduling.outpatients@nca.nhs.uk (Royal Oldham Hospital)
Please include name, date of birth, address and hospital number (if known) in any correspondence.

I need an ambulance. How do I arrange one?

If you need an ambulance there are contact details on your appointment letter.

Please contact us if you are arriving by ambulance so we can time your appointment with your ambulance arrival. If we are not aware that you are coming by ambulance you may miss your appointment and it may have to be rebooked.

If you need an interpreter

If you need an interpreter for your examination, please call the department so that we can try and arrange this.

Contact Details

We hope your questions have been answered by this leaflet.

If you require help or any other information regarding your appointment you can contact:

The Angiography Department, Salford Royal Hospital 
Tel: 0161 206 2206/5091

Interventional Radiology, Royal Oldham Hospital
Tel: 0161 656 1178