About the correct definition of acanthocytes for their use as markers of glomerular haematuria

Abstract

Acanthocytes, when ≥ 5% of urinary erythrocytes examined, are considered as the most reliable marker of glomerular haematuria. However, some uncertainties still exist in the literature about their morphological definition. The aim of this paper is to discuss this topic and to suggest a univocal definition of acanthocytes as erythrocytes with the shape of a ring with one or more protrusions.