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Alternative names Return to top
Hyaline cast; Granular casts; Renal tubular casts; Waxy casts; Casts in the urine; Fatty casts; Epithelial castsDefinition Return to top
Tubules in the kidneys secrete proteins. Under some circumstances, these proteins precipitate out to form little cylindrical impressions of the tubules called casts. If anything is present in the tubules at the time, it gets trapped in the protein casts. This offers a "snap shot" of the tubular lumen at the time of cast formation.How the test is performed Return to top
Collect a "clean-catch" (midstream) urine sample. To obtain a clean-catch sample, men or boys should wipe clean the head of the penis. Women or girls need to wash the area between the lips of the vagina with soapy water and rinse well. As you start to urinate, allow a small amount to fall into the toilet bowl (this clears the urethra of contaminants). Then, in a clean container, catch about 1 to 2 ounces of urine and remove the container from the urine stream. Give the container to the health care provider or assistant.How to prepare for the test Return to top
No special preparation is necessary for this test, but if the collection is being taken from an infant, a couple of extra collection bags may be necessary.How the test will feel Return to top
The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.Why the test is performed Return to top
The test is performed to see whether the kidneys are functioning properly and to check for certain conditions, such as kidney infections, glomerular diseases, and interstitial kidney diseases.Normal Values Return to top
There are different types of casts. (See below.) The presence of a few "hyaline" casts is normal.What abnormal results mean Return to top
Abnormal results may include:
This test may also show:
What the risks are Return to top
There are no risks.Special considerations Return to top
The best way to look for casts is to examine freshly voided urine, preferably the first morning urine sample.
Update Date: 2/23/2004 Updated by: Irfan A. Agha, M.D., Department of Medicine, Renal Division, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |