Diagnostic value of phase contrast microscopy in haematuria

Phase contrast microscopic examination of 105 urine specimens was carried out in a study to differentiate glomerular from nonglomerular haematuria. Urine was obtained from patients with proven glomerular disease, healthy subjects, and healthy subjects to whose urine blood had been added. Phase contrast microscopy identified correctly glomerular haematuria in 74 out of 80 samples, and nonglomerular erythrocyturia in all the 25 samples tested. These results give a sensitivity rate of 93% and specificity of 100%. Phase contrast microscopy was found to be a useful screening test in the investigation of haematuria.