Diagnosis of urate nephropathy primarily relies on a combination of clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and histological examination. Clinically, patients may present with signs of acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease, depending on the extent and duration of crystal deposition. Laboratory tests typically show elevated serum uric acid levels.
Histological confirmation is obtained through a renal biopsy, where the presence of urate crystals and associated tissue changes are identified under the microscope. Special stains, such as the use of polarized light, can enhance the visualization of urate crystals.
