ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Please note that you are viewing an archived section from 2019 and some content may be unavailable. To unlock all content for 2019, please visit the archives.

Abstract: SA-PO719

New Approach to the Urinary Sediments: Strange Crystals in Urine

Session Information

Category: Pathology and Lab Medicine

  • 1602 Pathology and Lab Medicine: Clinical

Authors

  • Abe, Makoto, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, TOCHIGI, Japan
  • Tojo, Akihiro, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, TOCHIGI, Japan
  • Yokoyama, Shohei, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, TOCHIGI, Japan
  • Uchida, Mayu, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, TOCHIGI, Japan
  • Murayama, Yoshiki, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, TOCHIGI, Japan
  • Ohira, Takehiro, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, TOCHIGI, Japan
  • Satonaka, Hiroshi, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, TOCHIGI, Japan
  • Ishimitsu, Toshihiko, Dokkyo Medical Univ, Mibu Tochigi, Japan
Background

Low vacuum scanning electron microscopy (LVSEM) is a non-perturbing technology that requires minimal sample preparation. Compared with conventional SEM, it is possible to observe wet samples directly without freeze-drying and vacuum evaporated carbon deposition process, thus, there is no loss of small parts of the samples during processing and can obtain more detail structure.

Methods

LVSEM was used to study the 3D structure of the urinary sediment from the patients undergone renal biopsy. Ten mL urine samples from renal biopsy patients were fixed with 1mL of 10% formalin and centrifuged at 500g for 5 minutes. The urinary sediments were stained with 1% Ponseau solution and mounted on the carbon filter membrane and observed with the LVSEM (Hitachi TM4000 Plus, Tokyo, Japan).

Results

Typical bipyramids calcium oxalate crystals and dodecahedrons crystals of various sizes were observed by LVSEM. Interestingly, dodecahedral calcium oxalate crystal shows multilayer configuration resembling a thread winding.
Urine samples collected from the bladder catheter’s bag showed curious honeycomb and tubular structures with spikes. It revealed that these structures were shed from the luminal walls of bladder catheter. These walls are composed of silicon-elastomer coated rubber to strengthen the tube.

Conclusion

LVSEM is a useful tool to obtain 3D views of the urinary sediment and can provide a new understanding of the urinary sediment, especially of the urinary crystals.

Funding

  • Private Foundation Support