title: Uncovering the real outcomes of active renal stone treatment by utilizing non-contrast computer tomography: a systematic review of the current literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the stone-free rates (SFRs) and stone clearance rates (SCRs) of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), and percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy (PCNL) according to non-contrast computer tomography (NCCT) findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Original articles were identified from PubMed. After exclusion of ineligible papers, twenty-three studies with 2494 cases were included in the review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six SWL, five RIRS and eight PCNL studies were selected. Additionally, four comparative articles were identified. SWL presents SFRs ranging 35-61.3 % and SCRs for residuals <4 mm being 43.2-92.9 %. RIRS studies report SFRs of 34.8-59.7 % and SCRs for residuals <4 mm ranging 48-96.7 %. Finally, PCNL presents SFRs of 20.8-100 % and SCRs for residuals <4 mm being 41.5-91.4 %. According to the comparative studies, SFRs are 17-61.3 % for SWL, 50 % for RIRS, and 95-100 % for PCNL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to NCCT findings, it seems that PCNL provides better SFRs than ESWL and RIRS. However, further research with comparable and complete preoperative parameters and outcomes could reduce the heterogeneity of current data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Andrology, General Hospital Hall i.T., Milser Str. 10, 6060, Hall in Tirol, Austria.
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tokas
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Andrology, General Hospital Hall i.T., Milser Str. 10, 6060, Hall in Tirol, Austria.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Habicher
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Junker
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Urooncology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Klinikum Sindelfingen-Böblingen, Sindelfingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Jessen
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Klinikum Sindelfingen-Böblingen, Sindelfingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Knoll
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Andrology, General Hospital Hall i.T., Milser Str. 10, 6060, Hall in Tirol, Austria. Udo.NAGELE@tirol-kliniken.at.
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nagele
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous / Q000379:methods; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018666:Ureteroscopy / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: CT; Computer tomography; Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy; Flexible ureteroscopy; MIP; Micro PCNL; Mini PCNL; Non-contrast CT; Percutaneous nephrolithotomy; RIRS; Retrograde intrarenal surgery; SWL; T.R.U.S.T