Kidney biopsy
A kidney biopsy is often recommended for those who notice blood in the urine (hematuria), excess protein in the urine (proteinuria) or progressive kidney failure. Kidney biopsy might reveal the causes for improper functioning or rejection of a transplanted kidney. If urine tests, ulrasound or CT scan reveal possible kidney problems, kidney biopsy can aid in determining the cause. A patient undergoing kidney biopsy is given sedation through IV. The biopsy needle is inserted through the skin with the aid of ultrasound. A small sample tissue is taken for examination. There is likely to be mild soreness in the muscle and some blood in the urine for the next 24 hours. Serious complications include puncture of a major blood vessel or bleeding into the kidney. Abnormal results of kidney biopsy show signs of scarring or inadequate blood flow or signs of disease such as renal cancer. Patients with blood clotting disorder are not advised to undergo this diagnostic test. Obesity, UTI, hypertension are some factors that can affect the accuracy of kidney biopsy results.
Bone marrow biopsy
Bone marrow biopsy is a technique to remove a small section of the tissue from the body to study it under the microscope for any further analysis and tests. This test is recommended by doctors if they see an abnormal result in the complete blood count of a person or for examining any other regular disease that might be present in the bone marrow. Bone marrow biopsies are used to check for blood disorders like leukemia, certain types of anemia or problems affecting the bone marrow such as multiple myeloma or polycythemia vera. Besides they can throw light on any infections or cancers that are originating in the bone marrow. A bone marrow biopsy aids in studying abnormal appearance and numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets in conditions such as thrombocytopenia. It is essential to keep the health care provider of any medications that are taken. A local anesthetic is usually given to numb the skin. A sedative may be prescribed to calm the patient throughout the bone marrow biopsy procedure.
Samples are usually taken from the hip bone after cleaning the area.
A biopsy needle is inserted into the bone.
Core of the needle is removed and the needle is turned in both the directions thus forcing a small sample of the bone marrow into the needle.
The needle is removed from the site and pressure is applied on that area to restrict bleeding and the area is bandaged.
There might some discomfort after the biopsy needle is removed as the anesthesia effect cannot reach the bone interiors.
Bone marrow biopsy will take about 20 minutes and after the biopsy you may be asked to lie down for another 60 minutes to check for bleeding from the site.
Results of bone marrow biopsties are available after 1 to 3 days. Normal results are indicated by normal numbers of mature and growing bone marrow cells. Abnormal results of a bone marrow biopsy are indicated by abnormal appearance of normal numbers of mature and growing bone marrow cells and presence of fibrous tissue in the bone marrow. There may be special stains that confirm infection in the bone marrow.
Prostrate Biopsy
Some doctors opine that prostrate cancer begins with a condition called 'prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia' (PIN). Almost 50% of men have PIN by the time they reach the age of 50 years. There occur changes in the microscopic appearance of the prostrate gland cells in this condition. These changes can be either normal or abnormal. If a person had an abnormal high-grade PIN, then there is 30 to 50 % of cancer. Men diagnosed with such high-grade PIN are asked to undergo repeated Prostrate Biopsies. Other reasons for prostrate biopsy are:
An elevated PSA level in a blood test.
Significant change in the standard PSA level over time.
Standard PSA level but a low free/total PSA ratio as indicated by the PSA II test.
Suspicious feeling prostrate on digital rectal examination.
Normally for a prostrate biopsy, the tissue is taken using a fine needle from ten or more places in the prostrate. Nowadays, specialists recommend the biopsies of the prostrate to be carried out only under ultrasound guidance. Several samples from the prostrate are taken using a method called 'sextant biopsy'. Biopsies are taken using 'Trans-Rectal Ultrasound' (TRUS) to guide the precise placement of the biopsy needle. The patient is administered an enema prior to carrying out the biopsy. There is no need for anesthesia but an antibiotic is given in order to prevent possible infection. The biopsy specimens ('cores') are sent to a pathologist for evaluation.
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