ARE WEDGE BIOPSIES OF CADAVERIC KIDNEYS OBTAINED AT PROCUREMENT RELIABLE?1

Abstract

Wedge biopsies of donor kidneys can overestimate the total amount of glomerulosclerosis, apparently because of a predominance of sclerosis in the kidney's subcapsular region, the area predominantly sampled by the usual wedge biopsy. These inappropriately high estimates of glomerulosclerosis can result in refusal of kidneys that might be suitable for transplantation.