Echo-color-Doppler balance in dialysis patient.

Ultrasonography is a non-invasive,well-controlled, quickly and easily available diagnostic procedure for the patient, is repeatable and not using ionizing radiation. For all these features plays an important role in the clinical management of patients undergoing dialysis. A census of the National Renal Ultrasound Study Group from Italian Society of Nephrology revealed that the 73.04% of Italian Departments of Nephrology and Dialysis are equipped with the ultrasound scanning and this one is commonly used in normal working routine. The main fields of application of this methodology in dialysis patient are: vascular pathology (damages due to systemic atherosclerosis, study and monitoring of arteriovenous fistula), muscle-tendon pathology (caused by hyperparathyroidism and amyloidosis), hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid assessment) and neoplastic disease.

Theoretical calculation of optimal depth in the percutaneous native kidney biopsy to drastically reduce bleeding complications and sample inadequacy for histopathological diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: In recent years percutaneous native kidney biopsy (PNKB) has become of very common use and safe enough for the patient if performed by skilled physicians; nevertheless, haemorrhagic complications or inadequate tissue sample for the diagnosis may occur. We report here the type and the adequacy rate of specimens for diagnosis and complication rate associated with PNKB performed in a single centre from May 2003 to December 2005 using a mathematical formula to determine the depth in centimetre where pushing the trigger. METHODS: In this prospective study we analysed data from 126 consecutive PNKB performed by the same two skilled nephrologists with the free hand technique using the 14-gauge automated biopsy gun under continuous sonographic control (Group I). The trigger was pushed exactly at the depth previously calculated by a mathematical formula: BW/H (body weight expressed in hectograms divided by patient height expressed in centimetres) less 0.5 (BW/H - 0.5). The type and the adequacy rate of specimens for diagnosis and the associated complication rate were retrospectively compared with data obtained from 123 consecutive PNKB performed from January 2001 to April 2003 by the same operators before using the mathematical formula described earlier (Group II). RESULTS: Of our series of 126 consecutive PNKD using the mathematical formula (Group I), only four subjects presented post-biopsy gross haematuria (3.2%) and three experienced symptomatic small subcapsular haematoma (2.4%). All biopsy specimens proved to be adequate for diagnosis (100%) with a mean of 22 glomeruli (range 5-60) per specimen. The previous series of 123 consecutive PNKB (Group II) showed gross haematuria (8.4%; P < 0.01 vs Group I) and symptomatic subcapsular haematoma (3.7%) with an adequate sampling of 94.8% (P < 0.01 vs Group I) and a mean glomerular count of 17 (range 4-47) per specimen (P < 0.01 vs Group I). Conclusions. PNKB is an invasive procedure that in spite of progress made in safety, diagnostic adequacy and performing techniques, still involves minor or major risks. The results obtained show that our method is extremely useful to reduce significantly the incidence of bleeding complications and permits us to take enough renal tissue for diagnostic evaluation in all cases.