What does a kidney biopsy help to diagnose?

A kidney biopsy is a procedure that involves taking a small sample of kidney tissue for examination under a microscope. This method is instrumental in diagnosing a range of renal diseases because it allows for direct assessment of the kidney tissue structure and any pathological changes present.

Conditions such as glomerulonephritis, which involves inflammation of the glomeruli, and kidney cancer, where malignant cells may disrupt normal kidney function, can be effectively diagnosed through biopsy. The histological analysis of the biopsy sample can reveal vital information about the presence of inflammation, scarring, and tumors, which is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment path.

In contrast, bladder infections and kidney stones are typically diagnosed based on symptoms, urine tests, and imaging studies rather than tissue sampling. Similarly, prostate disorders relate primarily to the prostate gland and do not involve the kidney tissue, making renal biopsy irrelevant for those conditions. Thus, the kidney biopsy is specifically valuable in evaluating various renal diseases, leading to the conclusion that it aids in diagnosing conditions like glomerulonephritis and kidney cancer.