“How long do kidney biopsy results take?”

Kidney biopsy last approximately an hour. Kidney biopsy is usually done while you are awake. Local anesthetic is applied to the area of needle injection. Now, there is an open kidney biopsy, and, in this case, general anesthesia is required. In an open kidney biopsy, there is a small cut in the skin close to the kidney (right or left), and a small tissue sample is obtained during the procedure. After an open kidney biopsy, you are taken to the recovery room for several hours. The purpose to do this is to watch your blood pressure, pulse, and urine. In addition, they must check and make sure that you don’t have an internal bleeding at the biopsy site. They can release you the same day, however, sometimes, you must be overnight for observation. Some pain and soreness near the biopsy sit are expected. Make sure that you stay resting for at least two weeks before resuming to your usual activity. Thank you.

These biopsies are pretty involved. I would say 2 weeks minimum. Lots of different testing was performed.

It may take a few business days to get a kidney biopsy result back. Unlike standard biopsies (e.g. skin moles), depending on the situation, more things have to be done on a kidney biopsy including fluorescence microscopy, possibly electron microscopy, in addition to the standard light microscopic examination. Depending on the pathology laboratory processing the biopsy, I would imagine up to 5-7 days to get the full diagnostic answer. Also if the patient is facing a rapidly deteriorating kidney function condition, the doctor may want to presume a diagnosis and institute treatment immediately, which may speed recovery, and which can be later changed once the full biopsy results come in.

24-48 hrs most of the time, but up to 1 week if special stains are done.