title: Treatment of small lower pole calculi--SWL vs. URS vs. PNL?
abstract: According to current guideline recommendations extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) remains the first choice treatment for small and mid-sized renal calculi. However, the results of SWL treatment for lower pole stones can be disappointing whilst more invasive endoscopic modalities, such as flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) are often considered more effective. This article summarizes a point-counterpoint discussion at the 9th eULIS symposium in Como, Italy, and discusses the potential advantages and disadvantages of the different therapeutic approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Sindelfingen-Boeblingen Medical Center, University of Tübingen, Germany. t.knoll@klinikverbund-suedwest.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Knoll
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tasca
authors.forename: Noor P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Buchholz
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008096:Lithotripsy; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous; D018666:Ureteroscopy