Ultrasound-guided kidney biopsy: a review of what operators need to know.

Ultrasound-guided kidney biopsy is a key procedure for diagnosing renal parenchymal disease and assessing renal involvement in systemic disorders. This review summarizes indications and contraindications, patient preparation, procedural technique, and post-biopsy monitoring, with emphasis on complication prevention and risk mitigation. Pre-biopsy ultrasound is essential to assess renal size, morphology, and anatomic variants and to plan a safe needle trajectory. Biopsy is typically performed from the lower pole renal cortex in the prone position using a spring-loaded core needle after local anesthesia. Bleeding is the principal complication, so structured observation after the procedure is mandatory.