DrBaboon
11-10-05, 16:43
As I have mentioned in a couple other threads, I have been tracking down sources. It's easy enough to send someone to a source that simply shows results or micrographs, or only uses OEM polarizing equipment. It's another thing to show what's happening optically, and more importantly, to show how it can be done on a shoestring, with some improvisation.
I previously mentioned using sunglass lenses (only polarized lenses!) and cellophane tape. I recovered that reference, which is why I'm posting now.
James H Wild, Nathan J Zvaifler "An Office Technique for Identifying Crystals in Synovial Fluid" American Family Physician 12(1), 72-81, July 1975.
The article includes theory, configurations for the microscope, crystal micrographs, and clinical correlation. It also gets into the use of sunglass lenses and cellophane tape.
Paul Zaharopoulos, Jick Yee Wong "Identification of Crystals in Joint Fluids" Acta Cytologica 24(3), 197-202, May-June 1980.
This source not only goes into polarizing microscopy, and crystal identification, but also has a lot of information on possible configurations of microscopes (ie - where to place the polarizer, analyzer, compensator within the structure of the microscope).
Robert E McLaughlin, John S Davis "Gout and Pseudogout Established by Polarized Light Microscopy of Synovial Fluid Methods and Two Case Reports" Virginia Medical Monthly 97: 345-349, June 1970.
Contains methods, clinical correlates, and distinguishes CPPD crystals and urate crystals nicely.
My suggestion is for people who consider adding this modality to their bag of tricks to visit their medical library, university library or whatever, and obtain copies of these articles.
I don't think I can do as good of a job trying to reinvent what they've already published.
I am more than happy to discuss the use of this technique, but I also really believe it would be a better discussion if people do some reading, and perhaps begin to work with their microscopes.
It is possible to use polarizing microscopy on urine sediment, although the articles focus on synovial fluid.
If you adopt this technique and solve the equipment requirement by getting a pair of polarized sunglasses and some tape, there is very little cost associated with adding it to your microscopy kit. I think I paid under $10-15 for my sunglasses.
Under austere circumstances, it's hard to imagine chemical analysis, much less x-ray diffraction analysis of crystals. Stones (primarily urinary tract) are simply bigger structures made of crystals.
For ongoing medical care, medication decisions, avoiding inappropriate medication use (both for the patient's sake and to avoid wasting a medication that could be used for someone who has needs better suited to that medication), it's hard to imagine any other technique that can give you this information as cheaply and as easily.
I previously mentioned using sunglass lenses (only polarized lenses!) and cellophane tape. I recovered that reference, which is why I'm posting now.
James H Wild, Nathan J Zvaifler "An Office Technique for Identifying Crystals in Synovial Fluid" American Family Physician 12(1), 72-81, July 1975.
The article includes theory, configurations for the microscope, crystal micrographs, and clinical correlation. It also gets into the use of sunglass lenses and cellophane tape.
Paul Zaharopoulos, Jick Yee Wong "Identification of Crystals in Joint Fluids" Acta Cytologica 24(3), 197-202, May-June 1980.
This source not only goes into polarizing microscopy, and crystal identification, but also has a lot of information on possible configurations of microscopes (ie - where to place the polarizer, analyzer, compensator within the structure of the microscope).
Robert E McLaughlin, John S Davis "Gout and Pseudogout Established by Polarized Light Microscopy of Synovial Fluid Methods and Two Case Reports" Virginia Medical Monthly 97: 345-349, June 1970.
Contains methods, clinical correlates, and distinguishes CPPD crystals and urate crystals nicely.
My suggestion is for people who consider adding this modality to their bag of tricks to visit their medical library, university library or whatever, and obtain copies of these articles.
I don't think I can do as good of a job trying to reinvent what they've already published.
I am more than happy to discuss the use of this technique, but I also really believe it would be a better discussion if people do some reading, and perhaps begin to work with their microscopes.
It is possible to use polarizing microscopy on urine sediment, although the articles focus on synovial fluid.
If you adopt this technique and solve the equipment requirement by getting a pair of polarized sunglasses and some tape, there is very little cost associated with adding it to your microscopy kit. I think I paid under $10-15 for my sunglasses.
Under austere circumstances, it's hard to imagine chemical analysis, much less x-ray diffraction analysis of crystals. Stones (primarily urinary tract) are simply bigger structures made of crystals.
For ongoing medical care, medication decisions, avoiding inappropriate medication use (both for the patient's sake and to avoid wasting a medication that could be used for someone who has needs better suited to that medication), it's hard to imagine any other technique that can give you this information as cheaply and as easily.