Casts are composed of Tamm-Horsfall urinary mucoprotein in the shape of the nephron segment where they were formed.
Hyaline casts
- Concentrated urine,
- febrile disease,
- after strenuous exercise,
- in the course of diuretic therapy (not indicative of renal disease)
Red cell casts
- Glomerulonephritis
White cell casts
- Pyelonephritis,
- interstitial nephritis (indicative of infection or inflammation)
Renal tubular cell casts
- Acute tubular necrosis,
- interstitial nephritis
Coarse, granular casts
Nonspecific; can represent acute tubular necrosis.
Broad, waxy casts
- Chronic kidney disease (indicative of stasis in enlarged collecting tubules).