Phase contrast microscopic examination of hematuria to localize the source of bleeding

Hematuria is a common diagnostic problem in clinical practice. It could be of renal origin or due to conditions affecting the lower urinary tract. Extrarenal diseases could also lead to hematuria. It is mandatory to investigate every case of hematuria to localize the site of the bleed as the protocol for the investigations and management for patients with glomerular hematuria is different from that of non-glomerular hematuria. In a developing country like ours, the high cost of hospital stay and invasive or expensive procedures are not preferred. Thus, it is vital to have a simple, sensitive, preferably non- invasive screening test like examination of the urinary sediment which would separate these two groups of patients.