Quartz renal calculi: were we being led up the garden path?
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.
Sies
C W
CW
Clinical Biochemistry Unit, Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand. chris.sies@cdhb.govt.nz
Cadwallader
J
J
Florkowski
C M
CM
Woods
S H
SH
George
P M
PM
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
D011791:Quartz; D002129:Calcium Oxalate