Double renal biopsy with Menghini needle.

The complications of percutaneous renal biopsy with Menghini needle, performed in 400 cases by the author, are reviewed. Position of the kidney was located by intravenous pyelography and was checked by further radiography if 1. the pyelogram was of inadequate technique, 2. the kidneys were small, or 3. ptotic. In two thirds of the cases the specimens were taken in duplicates, so as to provide sufficient material for light-, electron-, polarization-microscopic and immunofluorescent studies. On the evidence of the present observations the technique of double biopsy involves no higher incidence of complications than the conventional procedure, nor did it cause complications of major severity in the individual cases.