crystals under the microscope

why do we identify crystals?

separate the normal from the abnormal

what factors lead to crystal formation?

precipitation of urine solutes

• temperature

• solute concentration

• pH

hwo does pH help identify crystals?

pH determines which chemicals/compounds can precipitate

what compounds form crystals in acidic urine?

organic and iatrogenic 

what compounds form crystals in neutral/alkaline urine?

inorganic salts

what common, nornmal crystals are formed in acidic urine

• uric acid 

• amorphous urates

• sodium urates

what common, abnormal crystals are formed in alkaline urine?

• amorphous phosphates

• calcium phosphate

• triple phosphate

• ammonium biurate

• calcium carbonate 

what compound can form crystals in all pH levels?

calcium oxalate

what crystals are associated with chemotherapy and gout?

uric acid crystals

what crystals are associated with renal calculi?

calcium oxalate (rc)

what crystals are associated with liver disease?

bilirubin, leucine, tyrosine

amorphous crystals

normal

acidic: urate

alkaline: phosphate

which crystals are abnormal and acidic?

• bilirubin 

• cystine 

• renografin

• cholesterol

which crystals are abnormal and acidic/neutral?

• leucine

• tyrosine 

• sulonamides (antibiotics)

• ampicillin

what crystals are normal and acidic

calcium oxalate

uric acid

what crystals and normal and alkaline?

triple phosphate

ammonium biurate

calcium phosphate

calcium oxalate 

what is seen with abnormal calcium oxalate crystals?

antifreeze poisoning

crystals are seen in oval shape (not envelope)