Does a kidney biopsy accurately diagnose glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome?

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Nguyen Dinh Hung - Specialist Doctor I - Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital

Kidney biopsy is a technique of taking a sample of kidney tissue for testing to check for abnormalities in kidney structure and function. Under the microscope and test solution, the kidney parenchyma sample will show clear signs of damage.
This is a procedure done when other methods of testing blood, urine, and imaging tests do not give accurate results for kidney disease or damage.

Kidney biopsy is done in the following cases:
Diagnose problems, pathologies in the kidneys. Assess the status and extent of damage caused by kidney disease. Staging and progression of the disease. Make a treatment plan for kidney disease and monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Monitoring kidney status after kidney transplant surgery. Kidney biopsy is indicated when the patient has abnormalities in the results of blood tests or urine tests such as:
Blood in the urine, blood in the urine. Protein levels in the urine are increased or the patient has other signs of kidney disease. The concentration of waste products in the blood increases. Usually, a kidney biopsy is the last technique indicated after the patient presents with symptoms and signs, does a physical examination, and conducts general tests.

In children, kidney diseases can be inherited and if not detected early will affect the child's health. Some kidney abnormalities can be detected through routine prenatal check-ups, and then, when the baby is born, tests will also continue to be carried out to make a diagnosis. Based on the results, the doctor will prescribe the child medication or surgical treatment.
2 out of 10 common kidney diseases that cause infections and affect children's health are glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome. In particular, glomerulonephritis is caused by a number of viruses and bacteria such as streptococci (bacteria that cause sore throats), viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B virus, C, ... caused. Glomerulonephritis in young children causes blood in the urine and high protein levels in the urine. The disease can be acute or chronic if not detected and treated.
Nephrotic syndrome is a condition in which kidney function does not work as it should and causes protein levels in the urine to rise. The disease is hereditary or infectious and is common in children 2-6 years of age.
With glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome in children, kidney biopsy is a simple technique, takes time to perform and gives accurate diagnosis results quickly, by using a biopsy needle to take a sample of kidney tissue for examination. experience.

Before a kidney biopsy, the patient is asked to do the following:
Blood test : Check the ability of blood to clot to make sure that the biopsy will not cause bleeding. Discontinuing certain medications: Some medications need to be stopped before the biopsy, such as aspirin or warfarin. Patients should not stop taking the drug on their own, but must be guided by the doctor. The process of kidney biopsy takes place as follows:
Step 1: The patient lies on his stomach. In the case of taking a biopsy sample on a kidney transplant patient, the patient will lie on his or her back. Step 2: The doctor disinfects the skin on the back side of the upper abdomen, the location of the kidney for biopsy. Step 3: The doctor conducts local anesthetic to numb the skin and surrounding kidney tissue to prepare for the biopsy. At this time, the patient may feel mild pain for a short time. Step 4: To assist with the kidney biopsy, the doctor can use the ultrasound machine to determine the exact location of the biopsy. The doctor then inserts a special biopsy needle through the skin and into the kidney to take a sample of kidney tissue. When the needle is inserted into the body, the patient may feel slight pain because of the local anesthetic. Time for the needle to enter the body and take a kidney sample is very fast and the patient is asked to hold their breath for this period of time from 5 to 10 seconds.

After a kidney biopsy, the patient is asked to rest in place for a few hours to monitor blood flow from the biopsy site. Biopsy results will be available in about a week or more.
The patient may be given pain medication to reduce discomfort after the biopsy. Besides, also avoid strong activities, heavy labor so as not to affect the wound and the body quickly recover.
After a kidney biopsy, if the following symptoms appear, the patient should go to a medical facility to be checked and treated promptly:
The biopsy area is swollen, painful, red, taking pain relievers but not doing it. relieve pain. Blood in urine. Fever, abdominal pain. Renal biopsy is an important procedure that allows accurate diagnosis of glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome in children.
Vinmec International General Hospital is a high-quality medical facility in Vietnam with a team of highly qualified medical professionals, well-trained, domestic and foreign, and experienced.
A system of modern and advanced medical equipment, possessing many of the best machines in the world, helping to detect many difficult and dangerous diseases in a short time, supporting the diagnosis and treatment of doctors the most effective. The hospital space is designed according to 5-star hotel standards, giving patients comfort, friendliness and peace of mind.
For detailed advice on kidney biopsy techniques at Vinmec health system nationwide, please book an appointment on the website for service.