Percutaneous biopsy in diffuse renal disease: comparison of 18- and 14-gauge automated biopsy devices.
OBJECTIVE
To compare 18-gauge-needle automated biopsy guns to 14-gauge systems for diagnostic efficacy and safety in percutaneous renal biopsy.


METHODS
One hundred sixty-one computed tomographic (CT) guided biopsies for diffuse renal disease were retrospectively reviewed. An automated biopsy gun with an 18-gauge needle was used in 74 procedures, and a 14-gauge needle was used in 87 cases.


RESULTS
Adequate tissue for histologic diagnosis was obtained in 96% (71 of 74) of cases with use of the 18-gauge needle, compared with 99% (86 of 87) in the 14-gauge group. The mean glomeruli per specimen were 10.7 and 13.7, respectively. Major hemorrhagic complications occurred in two cases (2.7%) of the 18-gauge group and in three cases (3.4%) of the 14-gauge group.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a biopsy gun with an 18-gauge needle provides high tissue recovery rate, comparable to that with the 14-gauge system. The complication rate was acceptably low, with no statistically significant difference from the 14-gauge needles (P = .80).
Song
J H
JH
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence 02903, USA.
Cronan
J J
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation*