Indication for Biopsy: Chronic Renal Failure

Abstract

Most people with chronic renal failure do not have a renal biopsy. Chronic renal failure is associated with chronic abnormalities in tubules, themost important of which is atrophy. In adults, many renal biopsy specimens show evidence of chronic renal damage due to something other than a glomerular disorder. Findings include chronic ischemic damage, problems with urinary drainage, problems in the renal medulla, cystic diseases, tubular disorders, and late stages of interstitial nephritis, including granulomatous disorders. Most of the rest have IgA nephropathy, diabetic glomerulopathy, or segmental sclerosing glomerular conditions, which are often a complication of reduced renal mass. In biopsy specimens in children, many have evidence of a non glomerular disorder.