Fatty casts

Clinical relevance

The lipid casts are observed in the presence of extensive degenerative processes such as kidney shock.

Origin

These casts are made of a mucoprotein matrix with incorporated lipids from degenerated renal epithelial cells. The lipids are mostly cholesterol esters.

Identification

Identification of lipid casts is similar to epithelial cast identification.

Fatty cast : bright field microscope (left), fluoresecence microscope (right)