Kidney Biopsy: Risks

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Risks

There is a small chance for serious problems from a kidney biopsy, but they are rare.

• Bleeding into the muscle, which can cause soreness.
• Bleeding into the kidney.
• Infection of the skin at the biopsy site.
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung).
• Puncturing a major blood vessel, which may need blood transfusions, renal angiography and embolization, or surgery. This is very rare.

After the biopsy

After the biopsy, call 911 or other emergency services immediately if you develop:

• Signs of shock.
• Severe pain in your chest, shoulder, or belly.
• Moderate to severe difficulty breathing.

After the biopsy, call your doctor immediately if you:

• Develop more pain in your back, belly, or groin.
• Have too much bleeding or drainage (such as pus) from the biopsy site.
• Have blood in your urine for longer than 24 hours after the biopsy.
• Develop a fever.
• Have weakness or lightheadedness when you change position, such as standing up from a sitting or lying position.

Last updated:	September 29, 2008
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Tushar J. Vachharajani, MD, FASN, FACP - Nephrology
Editors:	Maria Essig, Tracy Landauer