The Tangential Extraperitoneal Retrorenal Approach in Kidney Transplant Biopsy: An Observational Study to Assess Complication and Adequacy Rates

Introduction: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous kidney allograft biopsy is the gold-standard for pathology work-up. Recent studies postulate better safety and efficacy for tangential approaches, however, there is no recommendation regarding biopsy needle path. In this context, we previously described the unified tangential extraperitoneal retrorenal (TER) approach for standard allograft biopsy.Methods: A single-center retrospective observational study evaluated safety and efficacy of the TER biopsy approach among 250 patients that underwent 330 ultrasound-guided kidney transplant biopsies between January 2011 and May 2020.Results: The overall major complication rate was 0.56% per biopsy attempt (1.21% per biopsy) including blood transfusion, arterial embolization and bladder catheterization for gross hematuria in 0.28, 0.14 and 0.14% of biopsy attempts, respectively (0.61, 0.30 and 0.30% of biopsies, respectively). Minor complications included subcapsular and/or perinephric hematoma, superficial bleeding, arteriovenous fistula and gross hematuria in 12.6, 3.0, 2.5 and 1.4% of biopsy attempts, respectively (27.0, 6.4, 5.5 and 3.0% of biopsies, respectively). Sample adequacy rate was 86.7%, ranging from 82.2 to 94.1% if one or ≥two cores were analyzed, respectively. Residents and consultants yielded similar complication and adequacy rates.Conclusion: According to current literature, ultrasound-guided TER kidney transplant biopsy is a safe and efficient approach eligible for nephrology training.

Uterine rupture mimicking Wunderlich’s syndrome in pregnancy: An unfortunate case

Introduction: Wunderlich’s syndrome (WS), characterized by non-traumatic renal haemorrhage into the subscapular and perinephric space is a rare entity in pregnancy. Aim: This article highlights the incidental discovery of a pregnant woman with WS that resulted in emergency nephrectomy. Case study: A 31-year-old gravida 4 para 3 female with 3 previous caesarean sections presented with acute abdomen and was in shock. The abdominal ultrasound revealed gross haemoperitoneum. With the preoperative diagnosis of a uterine rupture, surgical exploration was done showing an extensive right perinephric hematoma and active bleeding from the renal hilum. No renal tumor or pseudoaneurysm of the renal hilum was noted. Emergency nephrectomy was performed. Unfortunately, the foetus did not survive the ordeal. Results and discussion: WS occurs as a result of renal neoplasms, idiopathic causes, vascular diseases, infection, and miscellaneous. Ultrasonography can help to identify the perinephric hematoma, meanwhile, colour and/or spectral Doppler can aid in the detection of vascular pathologies. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography is still the imaging modality of choice. In pregnancy, a magnetic resonance imaging would be a better modality, avoiding radiation exposure to the foetus and consequent foetal malformations. Treatment includes arterial embolization and/or operative management such as nephrectomy. Conclusions: WS in pregnancy is a rare clinical entity requiring a high index of clinical suspicion for diagnosis. WS needs to be considered in pregnant patients presenting with shock with the presence of perinephric hematoma. A multidisciplinary approach is essential in providing optimum care.

Perinephric hematoma induced by factor Xa inhibitor in a patient with a vascular renal mass

Perinephric hematomas are known to present in the form of Lenk’s triad with acute flank pain, flank mass and hypovolemic shock. Here, we describe a case of perinephric hematoma occurring secondary to the use of anticoagulant therapy in the setting of a renal mass. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a perinephric hematoma occurring secondary to the use of Apixaban. The patient was an 80 year old male with a history of the presence of a left sided vascular renal mass discovered seven years ago admitted from a peripheral health center with pneumonia and a dropping hemoglobin along with acute kidney injury. Evaluation of his course revealed the use of a Factor Xa inhibitor, namely Apixaban, for new onset atrial fibrillation. The patient was stabilized with multiple units of packed red blood cell transfusions. An abdominal computed tomography abdomen demonstrated a perinephric hematoma contained in the Gerotas fascia. Due to deranged renal function, the patient was managed conservatively and made a full recovery. This case highlights the challenges associated with the diagnosis of perinephric bleeds. The use of anticoagulation therapy in the setting of a pre-existing vascular lesion remains a dilemma.

Adequacy and complication rates of percutaneous renal biopsy with 18- vs. 16-gauge needles in native kidneys in Chinese individuals.

Background: Percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) is the primary biopsy technique and it was used by 16G needles or 18G needles in China, but there is controversy about the effect and safety of the two different diameters. The study aims to compare the adequacy, complication rate and pathological classification when using 18G vs. 16G needles to perform renal biopsy with ultrasound-guidedance on native kidneys in Chinese individuals.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the number of glomeruli, adequate sample rates, complication rates and pathological classification in 270 patients with the use of 18G or 16G needles from January 2011 to May 2017 and verified whether the needle gauge affected the disease diagnosis.Results: A total of 270 kidney biopsies were performed. Among them,72 were performed with 18G needles, and 198 were performed with 16G needles. There was no difference in the number of glomeruli under light microscope using 18G relative to 16G needles (24±11 vs. 25±11, p=0.265）, whereas more glomeruli were found in the 16G group than in the 16G group using immunofluorescence microscopy (3±2 vs. 5±3, p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the adequate sample rates between the 18G group and the 16G group (90.28% vs. 93.94%, p=0.298). Minor complications including the incidence of lumbar or abdominal pain (4.17% vs. 7.07%, p = 0.57), gross hematuria (4.17% vs. 3.54%, p = 0.729), and perinephric hematoma without symptoms (4.17% vs. 1.52%, p = 0.195), were not significantly different between the 18G and 16G groups. In the 16G group, 2 cases of serious complications occurred: severe gross hematuria requiring blood transfusion and retroperitoneal hematoma requiring surgery. No serious complications were observed in the 18G group, although there was no significant difference in serious complications rates between the 18G and 16G groups (0% vs. 1.02%, p = 1).Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the number of glomeruli, adequate sample rates, or complication rates when using 18G or 16G needles to perform renal biopsy, and the use of an 18G needle with a smaller diameter did not affect the pathological diagnosis or classification of IgA nephropathy and lupus nephritis.

Horseshoe Kidney Blunt Trauma With Double Laceration: Endovascular Management

A 78-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital after abdominal trauma. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a horseshoe kidney with a perinephric hematoma and evidence of arterial hemorrhage. An anomalous renal arterial anatomy was noted as well, with a renal artery originating from the left common iliac artery. He was successfully treated via an endovascular approach. Varying forms of vascularization may complicate angiographic treatment of patients with abdominal trauma in a setting of kidney anomalies. Obtaining and evaluating contrast-enhanced CT angiography can identify anomalous vessels and can be invaluable when deciding on the most appropriate interventional approach.

Complications of Kidney Biopsy in a Tertiary Hospital of Central Nepal, Chitwan

Background: Kidney biopsy is an important diagnostic tool in Nephrology and is said to berelatively a safe procedure.There are limited studies in the complications of kidney biopsy from this region. We therefore thought of looking into the complications of kidney biopsy and its risk factors. Methods: A hospital based analytical cross sectional study was carried out over a period of 3 years. Kidney biopsies were done under ultrasonography guidance. The complications and its risk factors were recorded and were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, ratio, percentage and chi square. Results: A total of 210 patients were analysed. The mean± standard deviation of 210 patients was 35.7±14.9 years. The commonest minor complication was biopsy site pain not requiring analgesics 136 (64.8%)and the commonest major complication was biopsy site pain requiring analgesics 18(8.6%) followed by perinephric hematoma 10 (4.8%).There was a significant association between low platelet count and the development of complications like pain requiring analgesic (p value 0.04), perinephric hematoma (p value 0.022) and gross hematuria (p value 0.011). Conclusions: Kidney biopsy is a safe procedure and low platelet count is a significant risk factor for complications (p value <0.05). Keywords: complications; kidney biopsy; perinephric hematoma; platelet count.

Adequacy and complication rates of percutaneous renal biopsy with 18- vs. 16-gauge needles in native kidneys in Chinese individuals.

Background: The study aims to compare the adequacy, complication rate and pathological classification when using 18G vs. 16G needles to perform renal biopsy with ultrasound-guidedance on native kidneys in Chinese individuals.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the number of glomeruli, adequate sample rates, complication rates and pathological classification in 270 patients with the use of 18G or 16G needles from January 2011 to May 2017 and verified whether the needle gauge affected the disease diagnosis.Results: A total of 270 kidney biopsies were performed. Among them,72 were performed with 18G needles, and 198 were performed with 16G needles. There was no difference in the number of glomeruli under light microscope using 18G relative to 16G needles (24±11 vs. 25±11, p=0.265）, whereas more glomeruli were found in the 16G group than in the 16G group using immunofluorescence microscopy (3±2 vs. 5±3, p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the adequate sample rates between the 18G group and the 16G group (90.28% vs. 93.94%, p=0.298). Minor complications including the incidence of lumbar or abdominal pain (4.17% vs. 7.07%, p = 0.57), gross hematuria (4.17% vs. 3.54%, p = 0.729), and perinephric hematoma without symptoms (4.17% vs. 1.52%, p = 0.195), were not significantly different between the 18G and 16G groups. In the 16G group, 2 cases of serious complications occurred: severe gross hematuria requiring blood transfusion and retroperitoneal hematoma requiring surgery. No serious complications were observed in the 18G group, although there was no significant difference in serious complications rates between the 18G and 16G groups (0% vs. 1.02%, p = 1).Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the number of glomeruli, adequate sample rates, or complication rates when using 18G or 16G needles to perform renal biopsy, and the use of an 18G needle with a smaller diameter did not affect the pathological diagnosis or classification of IgA nephropathy and lupus nephritis.