|
What is a biopsy?
A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue from an organ
of the body, in your case one of your kidneys. When kidneys stop
working properly, doctors need to find out why. Sometimes this can
only be done by taking a small specimen of tissue from kidneys and
looking at it to see if it can show what is causing the kidney failure.
The tissue removed will be examined under a microscope in a laboratory,
to help the doctors diagnose your condition.
|
Click on thumb
nail to view larger pic |
| |
When will I be told the result?
It takes 10 days for a complete report to be compiled. Usually,
you will be given an Out-Patient Clinic appointment for two weeks
after the biopsy to discuss the results. However, if you are an
In Patient, a provisional report may be available within one or
two days.
What happens before a Renal Biopsy?
Before the procedure can begin, the medical team will make sure
that it is safe to proceed. Your blood pressure will be checked
and blood samples taken. These tests will tell the team how well
your kidneys are working, and help them to be sure that there is
only the smallest risk of any bleeding after the biopsy has been
performed. You will be asked for your consent to the biopsy, and
the risks will be explained to you before you give that consent.
It is advisable to eat only a light meal before the procedure. You
will be asked to wear a Theatre gown and to empty your bladder.
What are the risks of a renal biopsy?
Any medical or surgical procedure carries risks. The main one associated
with a renal biopsy is bleeding in the kidney, but this complication
is rare. You are only being asked to undergo this procedure because
your doctor believes that the risks are outweighed by the benefits.
All possible precautions will be taken to prevent bleeding. If it
does occur, you will be observed closely and treated accordingly.
You will not be discharged until it is safe to do so.
What happens during the biopsy?
Biopsies are usually done in either the Renal Unit or the X-ray
Department. You will be asked to lie on your front with a hard pillow
under your stomach. This allows the doctor easier access to the
kidneys, which are situated in the back of your abdomen on either
side. The position of the kidneys is then checked using an ultrasound
scan.
When the doctor is ready to begin, an antiseptic solution is used
to clean your skin. Green towels are then draped to surround the
sterile area this creates and an injection of local anaesthetic
is given. It takes a little while for the local anaesthetic to work.
When the area is numb you will be asked to hold your breath and
keep still. At this moment a special biopsy needle will be introduced
through the skin into the kidney to take the small sample. Only
one kidney will be sampled. This part of the procedure is very quick,
but may have to be repeated more than once to get enough tissue
for analysis.
What happens immediately after the biopsy?
Once the sample has been taken, a small dressing is applied to the
biopsy site. You will then be asked to lie flat for four hours and
you will remain "on bed rest" for 24 hours after your
biopsy time. Your blood pressure and pulse will be monitored frequently
and the dressing checked to make sure that everything is well.
Some people see blood in their urine after a biopsy. This is not
unusual and not a cause for concern. However, it will be closely
monitored by the nursing staff. Your discharge is normally planned
for the day after the procedure.
What happens in the days following the biopsy?
Once home, you should rest and take it easy for one week. It is
not unusual to get discomfort from around the biopsy site during
the first week. Paracetamol taken regularly will ease this discomfort.
After the first week, there should be no reason why you cannot
resume your normal activities. However, if you experience dizziness,
visible blood in your urine or severe pain, please contact the Renal
Unit at once.
This leaflet has been prepared by Martin Hague, Vascular Access
Trainer, and Alison Smith, Director of Nursing, Sheffield Kidney
Institute. There maybe local variations in practice please speak
to your local health care team for specific information.
|
