Percutaneous transjugular kidney biopsy in swine with use of a side-cutting needle with a blunt-tipped stylet

PURPOSE: To evaluate a new 19-gauge blunt-tipped, side-cutting, single thro w transjugular biopsy needle for transvenous kidney biopsies, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transjugular transvenous kidney biopsies were perfor med with a modified 70-cm biopsy needle utilizing fluoroscopic guidance in nine swine. Three tissue specimens were obtained with four biopsy device pa sses in five animals and three biopsy device passes in four animals. Renal arteriography and venography were performed immediately before and after re nal biopsy. Five animals were killed immediately after biopsy. Four animals were allowed to recover and underwent arteriography and venography prior t o being killed, which varied from 1 to 6 weeks. Gross and histologic examin ations of the biopsied kidney were performed after euthanasia. A pathologis t reviewed all biopsy specimens for quality based on the number of glomerul i present. RESULTS: Results of immediate and delayed arteriography and venography were normal in all cases. Histologic evaluation of all biopsy specimens demonst rated a range of two to 13 glomeruli per sample (mean, 6.5), with successfu l acquisition of the cortex. In one animal killed immediately after biopsy, a small subcapsular hematoma was present. CONCLUSION: The 19-gauge, side-cut biopsy needle with a blunt-tip stylet pr oved to be efficacious for obtaining renal cortical samples in right swine kidneys via a transjugular approach.