Biopsy of small kidneys: A safe and a useful guide to potentially treatable kidney disease

Over the past four years, all patients with unexplained rapid progression of their renal disease were subjected to kidney biopsy, despite their small size ( n = 4), interstitial nephritis ( n = 4), malignant nephro-angiosclerosis ( n = 2), and single patient with primary hyperoxaluria, light chain cast nephropathy, amyloidosis, and thrombotic microangiopathy. All, except eight with advanced glomerulosclerosis, had improved or became stable with specific treatment. Our study shows that biopsy of small-sized kidneys, in patients with unexplained renal deterioration, is safe, and its diagnostic value can improve their morbidity and even mortality.