Sediment Constituents (Abnormal Crystals) Flashcards
What is the appearance of cystine crystals?
Colorless refractile hexagonal plates, often laminated. Sides are not always even resembling a six sided stop sign
What is cystine often mistaken for?
Hexagonal uric acid crystals
In which conditions is cystine increased?
Cystinuria and cytinosis
What is the color of cystine in urine?
Colorless
What is the solubility of uric acid and cystine in ammonia?
Soluble
What is the solubility of uric acid and cystine in dilute HCl?
Uric acid: Insoluble, Cystine: Soluble
Which test is positive for cystine?
Cyanide-nitropruside reaction
What is the appearance of cholesterol crystals?
Rectangular plate with notch in one or more corners (staircase pattern)
What type of crystals are seen in refrigeration?
Cholesterol
Cholesterol crystals resemble which other crystals?
Crystals of radiographic dye
In which condition is cholesterol increased?
Nephrotic syndrome
What is the solubility of cholesterol crystals?
Chloroform
What are some other names for radiographic dye?
Meglumine diatrizoate, Renograffin, Hypaque
What is the appearance of radiographic dye crystals?
Flat, four-sided plates, often with a notched corner; other forms include long, thin, prisms, or rectangles
How to differentiate between radiographic dye and cholesterol crystals?
Check patient history, correlate with other UA results (S.G > 1.040 using refractometer)
What is the solubility of radiographic dye in 10% NaOH?
Soluble
What type of urine crystals appear as hay-like and fine, colorless to yellow needles in clumps or rosettes?
Tyrosine
In which condition is tyrosine increased?
Liver disease (more commonly found than leucine)
What is the solubility of tyrosine crystals?
Alkali or heat
What is the appearance of leucine crystals?
Yellow-brown oily-looking spheres with concentric circles and radial striations