Kidney Biopsy
Sample Requirement | Turnaround Time |
Formalin fixed tissue | 1-3 working days |
Renal biopsy may be indicated where there is clinicopathological and ultrasonic evidence of kidney pathology. The technique is not without risk of injury to the horse and therefore should only be contemplated if clearly indicated and should only be performed with great care, using an ultrasound-guided technique.
The right kidney is more easily accessible. Ultrasound scan examination is used to identify a suitable site, free from large blood vessels, in the posterior poles. The horse should be sedated and restrained in stocks. The skin over the kidney is clipped for imaging to identify the site for penetration, local anaesthesia is induced and the skin is then prepared as for surgical intervention. With the transducer coupled in a sterile surgical glove and sterile coupling gel on its surface, the kidney is imaged to find the ideal site for puncture. The biopsy needle is then introduced through the skin and into the renal parenchyma, sampling specific pathological features if visible.
If biopsy of the left kidney is to be attempted, it is helpful for an assistant to palpate the kidney per rectum in order to stabilise it against the body wall, facilitating the ultrasound-guided biopsy technique.
The tissue sample is fixed in 10% formol saline without delay and the needle channel may be swabbed immediately for bacterial culture.
The horse should be stable-rested for at least 48 hours after biopsy and should be monitored for signs of ill health, particularly associated with renal haemorrhage.