Kidney Biopsy

Biopsy, Kidney, Percutaneous Renal Biopsy, Renal Biopsy

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Having an untreated bleeding or blood clotting disorder.
• Not being able to lie still.
• Having advanced kidney disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or only one kidney.
• Being obese.
• Having a severely deformed spine.
• Having a urinary tract infection.

There is a small chance that a cancer may be missed because the needle biopsy takes tissue from such a small area.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: October 25, 2006
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology
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