Quartz stones: spurious or iatrogenic?

Abstract

We describe 2 cases of spurious quartz-containing calculi; the first patient-driven and the second iatrogenic. An iatrogenic etiology can occur after the use of holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser energy because the fiber tip is composed of quartz. To make the diagnosis of a spurious stone, a high degree of suspicion is essential. A quartz stone should prompt the diagnosis of a factitious disorder in the absence of the appropriate surgical history. Psychological counseling and/or referral to a pain management clinic should be considered in such cases.