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Do you assess the kidney tissue under a microscope following a kidney biopsy to determine the quality of the specimen obtained and if additional tissue is needed?

3 Answers
Mednet Member
Mednet Member
Nephrology · LSU

While we do have a microscope near the IN suite to check the adequacy of the kidney biopsy, I don't always use it. The following options are available:

  • Take a picture of the core on your phone & magnify it to see if small red dots are visible which are suggestive of gloms.
  • Use 16g biopsy guns to en...

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Nephrology · The University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine

I do not examine the biopsy under the microscope!

I make sure that I take 3 good core samples!

Over the last several years, I never had insufficient samples for pathology assessments (thanks God)!

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Nephrology · Shoals Kidney And Hypertension Center

In addition to the above, after I take the core samples, I drop them into a saline solution. If the cores sink, they are likely to be kidney tissue. If they float, they’re probably fat or connective tissue and I have to take additional samples.

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