What do the cylinders found in urine say?

Cylinders in the urine are very small impressions of the cavity of the renal tubules. Presence of those testifies to some problems with health. Cilindrarium is caused by the failure of renal filtration. As a rule, it is associated with some pathology.

They are revealed during the general analysis of urine (abbreviated OAM). This analysis is recommended to pass absolutely to all people who have applied to a medical institution. OAM and a general blood test (abbreviated as JAB) helps to identify many health problems of the patient. Also OAM and UAC - this is the standard procedure for a comprehensive survey.

Cylinders in the urine of a child

Urine normally has a slightly acidic reaction. The pH should not exceed seven, the minimum value is five and a half. Cylinders are formed in urine, which has an acid reaction. In addition, OAM can show an increased amount of protein.

The process of formation of these microscopic bodies indicates the presence of problems with the kidneys. Normally, the cylinders can be contained in the urine, only not more than two in the field of view.

Types and causes

Cylinders in urine can be formed in several ways:

• Protein;
• Cells of the epithelium;
• Erythrocytes.

It is very important to note that strong physical activity or a protein diet is the reason for identifying single hyaline cylinders in the urine.

There are three groups of cylinders:

• Hyaline;
• Granular;
• Waxy.

At the same granular are divided into several types:

• Erythrocyte;
• Leukocyte;
• Epithelial.

Hyaline

Hyaline cylinders in urine are the most common form. Outwardly they are transparent and homogeneous. The ends of the cylinders are rounded. It is very important to know that single (up to two) hyaline cylinders, identified as a result of urine testing - this is normal for a healthy organism. As already mentioned earlier, the reason for this are exercise and protein diet. If there were more of them in the urine, the reasons could be:

• Nephritis;
• Tuberculosis of the kidneys;
• dehydration;
• Pathology of the cardiovascular system;
• Liver disease and so on.

Grainy

Grainy cylinders in urine can be of two types:

• Coarse-grained;
• Fine-grained.

They appear as a result of damage to the renal tubules. In this case, the cellular elements disintegrate. If this type of cylinder is found in urine, then this indicates serious problems with the kidneys:

• Glomerulonephritis;
• Sclerotic changes;
• Nephrolithiasis;
• Development of malignant neoplasms in the kidneys and so on.

Wax-like

Waxy cylinders in the urine are completely different from other species, since they have dense structure, look like wax. This is a very bad sign during the research, this kind of cylinders suggests that some tubules are completely atrophied and there is no urine flow in them.

Wax-shaped cylinders can be detected during urinalysis in the following cases:

• The terminal (agonal) state ;
• Chronic heavy form of glomerulonifrit;
• Amyloidosis of the kidneys;
• Nephrotic syndrome;
• Toxic kidney damage and so on.

Erythrocyte

Now briefly about erythrocyte cylinders in the urine. They are formed as follows: the structures of red blood cells overlap or adhere to the hyaline structures. The erythrocyte element can be distinguished from the structure of the cylinder. This helps to recognize the hematuria (that is, the presence of cylinders in the urine). There are cases when they are homogeneous. In this case, the reason can be:

• Acute glomerulonephritis;
• Infarct of the kidney;
• Thrombosis of veins and so on.

The presence of red blood cells is always a pathology. Externally, this species has the following features:

• Brownish color;
• Edges can be ragged;
• The cylinders are brittle enough.

To identify erythrocyte cylinders, only fresh material should be examined. They talk about diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract.

Leukocyte

Pathological cylinders in the urine can let the doctor know what pathological process is going on in the patient's urinary system. The laboratory assistant, who conducts the analysis, is obliged to indicate which kind of cylinders is found in the urine. Now a short one more about one form - leukocyte cylinder.

The detection of this form indicates severe diseases, among which one can distinguish pyelonephritis, sepsis, lupus-nephritis and so on. They are formed as a result of adhesion of leukocytes to the hyaline matrix. Leukocyte cylinders are difficult to detect, and when investigating the urine sediment they can be confused with the epithelial appearance, which we'll talk about right now.

Epithelial

The epithelial cylinder is a protein structure that is formed by compaction of epithelial cells. As a result, do they arise? The reason for their formation lies in the decay and dystrophic changes in the tubules. Detection of this species speaks of degenerative lesions of the kidneys.

They can appear in the urine of a patient with kidney failure, who recently underwent a transplant operation. Their detection suggests that the transplant is rejected by the body. However, this is not the only reason for their appearance in the urine. They appear when:

• Acute tubular nephropathy;
• Glomerulonephritis;
• Terminal states and so on.

It is also important to note that the appearance of this type of cylinder for patients with glomerulonephritis is a very bad sign (damage to the tubular apparatus and attachment of a secondary nephrotic syndrome).

Pigmented

This species consists of blood pigments that have a brown color. Pigmented cylinders are formed in several cases:

• With transfusion of incompatible blood;
• When exposed to toxic substances and so on.

Once again we remind you that all cylinders can be identified only in urine with acidic reaction, since alkaline affects them destructively. In urine with an alkaline reaction, they can be generally not detected or present, but in a small amount.

When examining the sediment, do not forget that there may be pseudocylinders formed by mucus or urinary acid salt.