Maltese Cross Sign Nephrotic Syndrome. Maltese crosses are due to cholesterol which is increased in nephrotic syndrome. Images in clinical medicine from the new england journal of medicine maltese crosses in the nephrotic syndrome.
Nephrotic syndrome is a collection of symptoms due to kidney damage. The appearance of the maltese crosses is due to the birefringence of lipid droplets which consist mainly of cholesterol esters. Round particles producing birefringent maltese crosses under polarized light are commonly seen in the urinary sediment of patients with a nephrotic syndrome.
This includes protein in the urine low blood albumin levels high blood lipids and significant swelling.
Causes include a number of kidney diseases such as focal segmental. The appearance of the maltese crosses is due to the birefringence of lipid droplets which consist mainly of cholesterol esters. This includes protein in the urine low blood albumin levels high blood lipids and significant swelling. The classic maltese cross pattern is evident in fatty casts with polarized microscopy because of the birefringence of the lipid.
