COMPLICATIONS

The main complications of a renal biopsy include bleeding, pain, damage/puncture of surrounding structures (liver, spleen, bowel), and arteriovenous fistula formation. Bleeding is by far the most common complication, and it can occur into the urine collecting system, perinephric space, or subcapsular space. Patients should thus be monitored for approximately 4 to 6 hours after the procedure, with vital signs, hemoglobin levels, and urine color noted. Some centers perform a follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan or ultrasound a few hours after the biopsy. In the event of a major bleed, transfusions or therapeutic procedures (e.g., angioembolization or laparotomy) should be performed as needed. In very rare cases, a renal biopsy results in kidney loss or death.