What are amorphous deposits?
Amorphous crystals are by definition crystals with no identifiable characteristic shape. Amorphous crystals observed at an acid pH (less than 6) are amorphous urate crystals. At a pH greater than 7, they are amorphous phosphate crystals. Between pH 6 and pH 7, they become very difficult to distinguish.
What does amorphous mean in urinalysis?
Amorphous crystals are frequently seen in urine from various species. This is a generic and quite non-specific term and just indicates small crystals that are not identifiable as to source. Some could represent fragmentation of larger crystals.
What does it mean to have many amorphous crystals in urine?
If a large number, large size, or certain types of crystal are found in your urine, it may mean you have a kidney stone that requires medical treatment, but it doesn’t always mean you need treatment. Sometimes a small kidney stone can pass through your urine on its own, and cause little or no pain.
Can you detect kidney stones in urine test?
Urine tests can show whether your urine contains high levels of minerals that form kidney stones. Urine and blood tests can also help a health care professional find out what type of kidney stones you have.
What causes phosphate crystals in urine?
The formation of magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals (triple phosphate crystals) is caused by a combination of factors including decreased urine volume combined with bacteria in the renal system that are capable of producing ammonia and increasing the urine pH (such as Proteus or Klebsiella-type bacteria).
How is amorphous urine treated?
The primary treatments are to alkalinize (citrate or bicarbonate) and dilute (large water intake) the urine. Sodium urate is 15 times more soluble than uric acid. At a urine pH level of 6.8, 10 times as much sodium urate as uric acid is present.
Are amorphous crystals normal?
The presence of amorphous phosphate crystals (calcium and magnesium phosphate) is very common and generally has little clinical significance. They are found in urine with a pH above 6.5.
How do you treat crystals in urine?
Small stones may pass on their own without treatment in about four to six weeks. You can help flush out the stone by drinking extra water. Your doctor can also prescribe an alpha-blocker like doxazosin (Cardura) or tamsulosin (Flomax). These drugs relax your ureter to help the stone pass from your kidney more quickly.
How is amorphous urate treated?
Conclusion: The protocol to eliminate amorphous urate crystals is to prewarm the specimen before testing. Adding 50 mM NaOH to sediment dissolves amorphous urates to enhance the visibility of bacteria and yeast but has a deleterious effect on WBC and RBC.
How do you treat amorphous Urates in urine?
What causes amorphous deposits in urine?
Likewise, what causes amorphous deposits in urine? The formation of amorphous urate crystals can be caused by a combination of factors, including a diet rich in meat, decreased urine volume or a condition that acidifies urine such as chronic diarrhea. They are also present in individuals who have gout or during chemotherapy.
How do you test for amorphous deposits?
It is impossible to make a positive diagnosis of an amorphous haze or deposit based on microscopy alone. The first step in identifying an unknown amorphous deposit is to test its solubility. Shown here are some simple solubility tests to help decide what tests to carry out.
What is the meaning of amorphous debris?
AMORPHOUS DEBRIS: Amorphous debris is an indication of the amounts of non biological particulate matter present. This background amorphous material is graded and described as scant, light, moderate, heavy, or very heavy. (Very heavy background debris may obscure visibility.)
What are the common types of amorphous deposits in wine?
The common types of amorphous deposits that are found in wine are: Combinations of the above are also possible, such as complexes between proteins and phenolics, proteins and polysaccharides, and polysaccharides and tannins. It is impossible to make a positive diagnosis of an amorphous haze or deposit based on microscopy alone.