A Case of Hemoperitoneum after Transplant Kidney Biopsy

Percutaneous transplant kidney biopsy has become the most important tool for diagnosing allograft dysfunction. However, renal biopsy has various complications. Among them, hemoperitoneum is a rare complication and has not been reported in Korea. We experienced a case of hemoperitoneum after transplant kidney biopsy. A 43-year-old man, 3 years after renal transplantation, was presented with elevated serum creatinine. Percutaneous renal biopsy was executed by real-time ultrasound guidance and 14-gauged spring loaded automated biopsy gun at upper pole of transplanted kidney. Renal biopsy was completed after 5 trials due to poor visualization of biopsy needle tip. After 2 hours, the patient complained of acute right side abdominal pain and dizziness. Abdominal pelvis CT showed moderate amount of hemoperitoneum. The patient underwent emergency laparotomy. Hematoma was seen in the omentum with minor vessel bleeding. Ligation was done. The patient was discharged after 15 days.