Experience of Percutaneus Kidney Biopsy from a Tertiary Care Center of Pakistan

Background: Kidney biopsy is one of the most important tools in the assessment of kidney disease. Knowing the histopathology is important for immediate clinical management. It helps in predicting the long term prognosis and in planning for prevention of chronic kidney disease. Methods: This is a cross section study of percutaneus biopsies of the native kidneys of patients, who presented to the Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi Pakistan, over ten year period from 2003 to 2012. Age range was 16 to 77 years. Results: Total number of 435 biopsies were included in the study. The most common histopathological findings, regardless of the indication of biopsy were Tubulo Interstitial Nephritis in 15 percent, followed by Membranous Nephropathy in 12 percent, Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in 8 percent and Membrano Proliferative Glomerulonephritis also in 8 percent. Conclusion: This study will help in better understanding the spectrum of renal disease in Pakistan. It will guide the clinician in the management and provide a data base or a starting point for the researchers for conducting the controlled and population base studies.