Technique for office-based, ultrasonography-guided percutaneous biopsy of renal cortical neoplasms using a novel transducer for facilitated ultrasound targeting

Abstract

Objectives: To help clarify which small renal cortical neoplasms (RCNs) require surgery by using office-based, ultrasonography-guided percutaneous renal biopsy.

Patients and methods: Biopsies were performed using facilitated ultrasound targeting (FUT) technology, which incorporates a needle guide and onscreen beam-steered technology to permit highly precise needle deployment. Patient and tumour characteristics, procedure time, complications and biopsy efficacy were documented. Wong-Baker pain levels were obtained before, during and 1 h after the procedure.

Results: Seven patients underwent biopsy, six for RCNs and one for medical renal disease. The mean (range) patient age was 68.5 (54-79) years, and the mean (range) tumour diameter was 2.55 (2.0-2.9) cm. Mean pain levels before, during and 1 h after the procedure were 0, 1.6 and 0.5, respectively. There were no intra- or post-procedural complications. Biopsy results were diagnostic in five of the six RCN cases and in the single case of medical renal disease.

Conclusions: Our preliminary experience shows that office-based percutaneous renal biopsy using a novel transducer for FUT is safe and effective. An international multicentre study is planned to confirm these preliminary results.

Keywords: image-guided biopsy; kidney cancer; ultrasonography.