MicroVysion®: Focusing on the Origin of Hematuria

The evaluation of asymptomatic hematuria, defined as unexpected blood in the urine, is a very common medical problem which may occur in any age group. It is particularly worrisome in young adults and children. Many studies have confirmed that extensive urological evaluation of these patients rarely yields clinically useful information. The most commonly used approach in the evaluation of patients with hematuria includes cystoscopy (insertion of a catheter into the urethra followed by the introduction of a rigid or flexible scope with a small camera) or Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP), a dye injected into the bloodstream followed by a series of X-rays.

The clinical work up of hematuria just described is associated with significant cost, patient anxiety, discomfort and some degree of risk of complications. Careful attention to patient history, physical exam and initial routine urinalysis with competent urine microscopy is very important in managing patients with hematuria. Now available at Bostwick Laboratories®, MicroVysion® can be used to easily identify the patients that should be evaluated with invasive procedures such as cystoscopy and IVP. Many years of experience with MicroVysion® has shown a significant reduction in the number of nondiagnostic IVP and cystoscopic examinations. Patients with benign MicroVysion® are rarely found to have any significant urinary pathology upon extended follow-up. MicroVysion® uses a simple, first morning voided urine sample which can even be collected by the patient at home and mailed to the laboratory.

MicroVysion® routinely examines all urine specimens to rule out cancer. It is also a quantitative, analytical test proven to be useful in the diagnosis of infections, inflammatory conditions, diseases of the kidney and a wide variety of systemic or chronic disease such as diabetes, hypertension and immune processes such as lupus. The future of MicroVysion® lies in the hands of the primary care providers as a sensitive and accurate tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of many medical and environmental effects involving the kidneys. Management of hematuria with a cost-effective test will strengthen a physician’s ability to provide proper treatment and improve their patient’s care and morale.