Crystalluria Explained

Crystalluria refers to crystals found in the urine when performing a urine test. Crystalluria is considered often as a benign condition and as one of the side effects of sulfonamides and penicillins.

The main reason for the identification of urinary crystals is to detect the presence of the relatively few abnormal types that may represent a disease.

Clinical significance

It can be an indication of urolithiasis.

It may be relevant when there is presence of specific abnormal types of crystals (cystine, cholesterol, leucine, tyrosine, etc.)^[1] and that may be a sign of metabolic or liver disorders such as cystinuria.^[2]

Microcrystallization is irritating to the uroepithelium and can lead to symptoms including dysuria, frequency, urgency, and urinary incontinence, as well as hematuria, just like in urinary tract infection. ^[3]

Notes and References

1. MrlabTest - Crystals in urine, Crystalluria. URL: https://www.mrlabtest.com/urinalysis/crystals-urine.htm. Accessed on: December 10, 2021.
2. 10.1007/s00240-003-0319-0 . 12748836 . 31 . 3 . Cystine crystal volume determination: a useful tool in the management of cystinuric patients . July 2003 . Daudon M, Cohen-Solal F, Barbey F, Gagnadoux MF, Knebelmann B, Jungers P . Urol. Res. . 207–11. 12341569 .
3. Massengill . Susan F. . 2008-10-01 . Hematuria . Pediatrics in Review . en . 29 . 10 . 342–348 . 10.1542/pir.29.10.342 . 18829770 . 0191-9601.