Summary
The differentiation between glomerular and non-glomerular haematuria by phase-contrast microscopy has proved to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of glomerulonephritis. In an attempt to evaluate the effect of marked diuresis on the altered red cell morphology in patients with biopsy proven glomerulonephritis, urinary sediments were examined following water or furosemide-induced diuresis. In both diuretic states urine flow increased, urine osmolality decreased and the percentage of glomerular erythrocytes was significantly reduced in the urinary sediment. These data demonstrate that the alteration in urinary red cells in glomerulonephritis is mainly caused by tubular forces. The diagnostic significance is reduced during increased diuresis and the evaluation of urinary red cell morphology should not be performed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Birch DF, Fairley KF (1979) Hematuria: Glomerular or nonglomerular? Lancet II:845–846
Fairley KF, Birch DF (1982) Hematuria: A simple method identifying glomerular bleeding. Kidney Int 21:105–108
Fassett RG, Horgan BA, Mathew TH (1982) Detection of glomerular bleeding by phase-contrast microscopy. Lancet I:1432–1434
Fassett RG, Horgan BA, Gove D, Mathew FH (1983) Seaving electron microscopy of glomerular and non-glomerular red blood cells. Clin Nephrol 1:11–16
Kincaid-Smith P (1982) Haematuria and exercise-related haematuria. Br Med J 285:1595–1596
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schuetz, E., Schaefer, R.M., Heidbreder, E. et al. Effect of diuresis on urinary erythrocyte morphology in glomerulonephritis. Klin Wochenschr 63, 575–577 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01733007
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01733007