Casts
Urinalysis and Body
Fluids Review 507
TYPE DESCRIPTION SIGNIFICANCE COMMENTS
Hyaline
Granular
RBC
Blood
WBC
Epithelial cell
Most common type. Least significant.
Tamm-Horsfall protein only. Dissolve in alk
urine. Same refractive index as urine; may be
overlooked with bright light.From disintegration of cellular casts.IDs kidneys as source of bleeding. Most fragile
cast. Often in fragments.From disintegration of RBC casts.IDs kidneys as site of infection.Transitional & squamous epithelial cell aren’t
seen in casts. Distal to renal tubules & collect-
ing ducts where casts are formed.Homogeneous with parallel
sides, rounded ends.Same as hyaline, but with
granules.RBCs in cast matrix.
Yellowish to orange color.Contain hemoglobin.
Yellowish to orange color.WBCs in cast matrix.
Irregular in shape.Renal tubular epithelial cells
in cast matrix.Normal: 0–2/LPF. ↑with stress,
fever, trauma, exercise, renal
disease.Normal: 0–1/LPF. ↑with stress,
exercise, glomerulonephritis,
pyelonephritis.Acute glomerulonephritis,
strenuous exercise.Same as RBC cast.Pyelonephritis.Renal tubular damage.continued...