title: Quartz renal calculi: were we being led up the garden path?
abstract: Quartz stones are often considered to be of non-human origin or factitious, although in some cases, they may have a biological aetiology. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy was used to analyse fragmented renal stones from a 61-year-old lady who presented with bilateral nephrocalcinosis. Analysis of the calculi from the left kidney showed a mixed composition: 50% calcium oxalate monohydrate and 50% quartz. This case highlights the usefulness of XRD in the differentiation of authentic from possibly factitious renal calculi.
authors: Clinical Biochemistry Unit, Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand. chris.sies@cdhb.govt.nz
authors: C W
authors: CW
authors: Sies
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Cadwallader
authors: C M
authors: CM
authors: Florkowski
authors: S H
authors: SH
authors: Woods
authors: P M
authors: PM
authors: George
mesh_terms: D002129:Calcium Oxalate / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D008096:Lithotripsy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011791:Quartz / Q000032:analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D011791:Quartz; D002129:Calcium Oxalate