RESUMO
PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of end-cut and side-cut devices in transvenous renal biopsies of ex vivo swine kidneys and to examine the use of the swine kidney as an animal model in this setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biopsy specimens of ex vivo swine kidneys were obtained after selective renal vein cannulation with use of five separate biopsy devices (Quick-Core 16 gauge and 18 gauge, Colapinto 16 gauge, Mansfield biopsy forceps, Flexi-Temno 16 gauge). Biopsy specimens were defined as the material obtained from three separate passes at a given site, with 30 biopsy specimens obtained per device. Capsular perforation was examined for each pass. A blinded pathologist recorded the presence of tissue and the number of glomeruli present for each pass. A diagnostic biopsy was defined as six or more glomeruli obtained. RESULTS: The median number of glomeruli obtained for each device per biopsy was Colapinto 0.0 (range, 0-13), Mansfield 0.0 (range, 0-19), Flexi-Temno 2.0 (range, 0-13), 18-gauge Quick-Core 8.5 (range, 0-30), and 16-gauge Quick-Core 16.0 (range, 0-52). The Quick-Core 16-gauge and 18-gauge devices obtained diagnostically adequate biopsy specimens 83% and 77% of the time, respectively, compared to 20% or less for the other devices. CONCLUSION: The Quick-Core 16-gauge and 18-gauge side-cut biopsy devices are the most efficacious for obtaining diagnostic quality biopsy specimens in the ex vivo swine kidney model.
