Abstract
The solitary kidney is generally considered as a contraindication for the percutaneous renal biopsy. However, renal biopsy is required for a definitive diagnosis and a proper treatment even in the patients with a solitary kidney when they have renal insufficiency or glomerulonephritis. Percutaneous renal biopsy is routinely performed for a transplanted kidney, a solitary functioning kidney. In addition, it was reported that the risk of complications at percutaneous renal biopsy is not higher than that at open biopsy. We had a 15-year-old boy with right solitary kidney who was referred to Yamagata University Hospital for further examination of proteinuria pointed out at urinary screening program. He gradually deteriorated in his renal function and we performed percutaneous renal biopsy after an informed consent was obtained. He complicated with only a little hematoma, which did not require a significant intervention. The renal specimen revealed tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis due to unknown causes, consistent with chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis.
Percutaneous renal biopsy is not a contraindication even for a solitary kidney if the patients are not complicated with severe hypertension and coagulation disorders and experienced operators would perform the procedure.
