Percutaneous needle biopsy of the kidney. Indications, applications, technique, and complications.

During the past three decades, percutaneous renal biopsy has evolved as a valuable method of clinical evaluation of patients with various forms of glomerular proteinuria and primary renal failure. The advent of automated core biopsy needles and ultrasound guidance has substantially improved the safety of needle biopsy techniques and almost eliminated the need for surgical wedge biopsy.