Acute tubular necrosis
Summary of Acute tubular necrosis
Acute tubular necrosis, one of the most common causes of acute kidney injury, is a medical condition involving the death of tubular epithelial cells which form the renal tubules of the kidneys. Common causes include ischemia and nephrotoxic drugs. The presence of granular, "muddy brown casts" of epithelial cells found in the urine during urinalysis is pathognomonic.. Management relies on aggressive treatment of the precipitating factors (e.g. hydration and cessation of the offending drug). Because tubular cells continually replace themselves, prognosis is good if the cause is corrected, and recovery is likely within 7 to 21 days.