[Sonographically demonstrable changes following percutaneous kidney biopsy].

For diagnosis and therapeutic strategies exact histological diagnosis of certain renal diseases is of great importance. Biopsy, therefore, is an integrated component of patient management. Haemorrhage is the most common complication following percutaneous renal biopsy. Gross haematuria can easily be detected, whereas perirenal bleeding is harder to detect. A high incidence of perirenal haematomas after biopsy can be evaluated with the help of sonography. In a survey of 207 percutaneous renal biopsies performed in 168 patients, we found 64 perirenal haematomas (30.9%). 2 haematomas (0.96%) required surgical intervention. In 4 patients (1.9%) transitory gross haematuria with obstruction of the bladder by blood clots occurred. These were removed by cystoscopy.