The early introduction of percutaneous renal biopsy in Italy

Background. Percutaneous renal biopsy, based on the use of an aspiration ne edle and the patient in the sitting position, was first described by Iverse n and Brun in 1951. In 1954, Kark and Muehrcke described the use of the cut ting Vim-Silverman needle on patients in the prone position, with a substan tial improvement in the rate of success. The 1961 CIBA Foundation Symposium on renal biopsy marked the coming of age of this technique. During the 195 0s in Italy, several individuals played a part in promoting and developing percutaneous renal biopsy. Because this pioneer work has received insuffici ent attention, we describe the contributions of Italians to the early intro duction of this technique. Methods. The Italian and international literature about percutaneous renal biopsy of the period 1951 through 1965 was reviewed. In addition, structure d interviews with surviving members of the Italian researchers who first us ed renal biopsy were conducted. Results. The first renal biopsies in Italy were performed in 1951 in Pisa b y the group of Ernico Fiaschi (1913-1989). In their hands. renal biopsy bec ame a tool to investigate the pathogenesis of renal diseases in particular, while simultaneously using the early application of immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. In 1954, Pietro Leonardi (1914-1991) and Arturo Ruol (born 1924) introduced renal biopsy in Padova; they used this technique ext ensively and published one of the first monographs on the subject. In 1957, Vittorio Bonomini (born 1928) introduced I renal biopsy in Bologna, and in subsequent years used this technique to focus on the study of pyelonephrit is. Conclusions. Our historical research shows that Italian groups were among t he first to use and develop percutaneous renal biopsy both as a clinical to ol and an investigative tool. This article gives international credit to th eir work.