title: Advances in lithotripsy and stone disease treatment.
abstract: Stone disease can be traced back as far as the human record. This article traces the diagnosis and treatment of stone disease from primitive attempts at stone removal in ancient civilizations to the advent of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the 1970s. ESWL revolutionized the treatment of stone disease, offering patients a less painful alternative to the traditional surgical removal of stones. This article discusses recent advances in ESWL, describes the radiologic technologist's role in diagnosing and managing stone disease, and outlines future prospects in the treatment of stone disease.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000628:therapy; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000628:therapy; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000266:history / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011835:Radiation Protection; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000628:therapy; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000266:history / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*