title: Management of lower-pole caliceal stones.
abstract: A series of 205 urologists answered questions about their choice of treatment for lower-caliceal stones. The preferred approaches were extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) for stones <1 cm and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for those >2 cm. For stones of 1 to 2 cm, 65% preferred SWL and 30% would advise PCNL. Thus, SWL is recommended for lower-caliceal stones more frequently than is justified by published success rates. Continued efforts need to be made to inform practicing urologists regarding the most appropriate therapy for patients with lower-pole stones >1 cm.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, University of Chicago Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. ggerber@bsd.uchicago.edu
authors.forename: Glenn S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Gerber
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000628:therapy*; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser / Q000639:trends*; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous / Q000639:trends*; D011364:Professional Practice; D014572:Urology / Q000639:trends