title: Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy.
abstract: Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy is a new technique for treatment of symptomatic renal and upper ureteral calculi. After biplanar fluoroscopic localization of the targeted calculus, serial shock waves cause calculus disintegration, with subsequent spontaneous transurethral passage of the fragments. Excellent clinical results and patient enthusiasm have resulted. Physicians using extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy must also be adept at percutaneous, ureteroscopic, and standard surgical stone removal methods to deal with complex clinical stone presentations.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000009:adverse effects; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000628:therapy