Makindo Medical Notes"One small step for man, one large step for Makindo" |
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๐ Urine analysis (urinalysis) is a fundamental diagnostic tool that provides valuable information about a patient's health. It involves the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine to detect disorders such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney disease, and diabetes.
๐งช A urine dipstick is used to detect key substances:
๐ฌ Urine sediment examined for cells, casts, crystals, and organisms:
Finding | Associations |
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Casts ๐งฑ | |
Red blood cells ๐ฉธ | Glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, interstitial nephritis |
White blood cells โช | Interstitial nephritis, pyelonephritis |
Epithelial cells ๐งซ | Acute tubular necrosis, interstitial nephritis, GN |
Granular | Renal parenchymal disease (nonspecific) |
Waxy/broad | Advanced renal failure |
Hyaline | Normal in concentrated urine |
Fatty | Heavy proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome) |
Cells ๐งฌ | |
Red blood cells ๐ฉธ | UTI, stones, glomerular disease |
White blood cells โช | UTI, inflammation |
Eosinophils ๐ | Allergic interstitial nephritis, atheroembolic disease |
Squamous epithelial cells ๐งซ | Contaminants |
Crystals ๐ | |
Uric acid | Gout, tumour lysis |
Calcium phosphate | Alkaline urine |
Calcium oxalate | Stones, ethylene glycol poisoning |
Cystine | Cystinuria |
Sulfur | Sulfa drugs |
๐ก Urine analysis is a quick, inexpensive, and valuable diagnostic tool. It can detect conditions ranging from simple UTIs to serious systemic disease. Mastery of this skill is essential for all clinicians.