What does a positive urine sediment crystal test mean?

A positive urine sediment crystal test means that a large number of crystals are found in the urine during routine urinalysis. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Urine sediment crystals refer to visible crystalline substances detected in a patient's urine during routine urinalysis. A positive result for urinary crystals usually occurs when crystal-forming substances in the urine become oversaturated, leading to crystal deposition. The formation of urine crystals can be influenced by various factors, such as metabolic conditions, urine pH, and temperature changes. If a patient consumes excessive amounts of foods high in calcium or magnesium, or eats too many acidic foods, crystals such as calcium oxalate or magnesium ammonium phosphate are more likely to form, resulting in a positive urinalysis. A positive result may also be caused by underlying stone diseases, such as supersaturation of uric acid or oxalate crystals, commonly seen in conditions like bladder stones or kidney stones. These conditions may also be accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain and fever.

If the cause is improper diet, specific medical treatment is generally unnecessary. Symptoms can be relieved by adjusting dietary habits and increasing daily fluid intake. However, if the crystals are due to urinary tract stones or kidney stones, medical intervention at a hospital is required, such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) or holmium laser lithotripsy under cystoscopy.