title: Counterfeit calculi.
abstract: We describe two patients whose initial clinical presentation was that of nephrolithiasis. Eventually, an incontrovertible diagnosis of factitious illness was established. We describe this syndrome, review the underlying psychodynamics, and suggest an approach to treatment, with a plea to physicians to recognize the compulsive behavior as a sign of a disordered psyche and the need for some form of psychotherapy.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005162:Factitious Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011613:Psychotherapy