Maltese Cross Sign Nephrotic Syndrome

Massive edema urine 3 5 grams of protein on 24 hour urine.

Maltese cross sign nephrotic syndrome. This is often referred to as a maltese cross sign because of the resemblance of the tetrad to the cross on peripheral blood smear. The urinary sediment showed fatty casts panel a with typical maltese crosses under polarized light panel. Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by a massive renal loss of protein 3 5 g day resulting in edema hypercoagulability antithrombin iii deficiency and an increased risk of infection loss of immunoglobulins typical laboratory findings of nephrotic syndrome include hyperlipidemia and fatty casts on urinalysis the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults are focal segmental. Round particles producing birefringent maltese crosses under polarized light are commonly seen in the urinary sediment of patients with a nephrotic syndrome.

The appearance of the maltese crosses is due to the birefringence of lipid droplets which consist mainly of cholesterol esters. Fatty casts with maltese cross sign. Maltese crosses are due to cholesterol which is increased in nephrotic syndrome. Fatty casts with maltese cross sign.

Consider nephrotic syndrome in patients particularly young children with unexplained edema or ascites. It s also important to remember that one of the secondary changes in individuals with nephrotic syndrome is that the liver will increase lipoprotein synthesis which results in hyperlipidemia. Maltese cross the classic maltese cross pattern is evident in fatty casts with polarized microscopy because of the birefringence of the lipid. Nephrotic syndrome is usually caused by damage to the clusters of small blood vessels in your kidneys that filter waste and excess water from your blood.

They are pathognomonic for high urinary protein nephrotic syndrome. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Renal disease such as nephrotic syndrome produces a fatty cast composed of cholesterol that also has a maltese cross appearance on light microscopy. Hypoalbuminemia hyperlipidemia and lipiduria.

Nephrotic syndrome 11 4 2012 69 views 5 topic comments 36 please. Formed by the breakdown of lipid rich epithelial cells these are hyaline casts with fat globule inclusions yellowish tan in color. If cholesterol or cholesterol esters are present they are associated with the maltese cross sign under polarized light.