Calyceal stones: Fate of shock wave therapy with respect to stone localization

In a retrospective analysis the results of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment were evaluated in patients with renal stones according to calyceal localization of treated stones. The 198 patients who underwent ESWL with the Dornier MPL 9000 were analyzed for success rate, complication rate, residual fragments, regrowth and recurrence rates. Totally 210 calyceal calculi located in different portions of the kidney have been comparatively evaluated. No major complications were noted during or after ESWL. Some minor complications such as flank pain, renal colic, haematuria were observed. Flank pain was observed during ESWL treatment especially in patients with upper calyceal stones. Although stone-free and residual fragment rates were similar in pelvic, upper and middle calyces, patients with lower calyceal and pelvicalyceal stones had high residual fragment rate and lower stone-free rate. Patients with stones in the lower calyces or pelvicalyces had high recurrence and regrowth rates (p<0.05). ESWL has been considered as the optimal treatment modality for most upper urinary tract calculi. It is especially effective in patients with pelvic, upper and middle calyceal stones. Patients with lower calyceal stones often failed to eliminate the fragments, hence had high recurrence and regrowth rates.     

Place of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in management of cystine calculi

We treated 12 patients with sixteen renal and one ureteral cystine stones primarily with extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Among the stones thirteen were greater than 25 mm. In four stones less than 25 mm, three stones completely disappeared and 1 was reduced to small fragments, following ESWL. In thirteen stones greater than 25 mm, twelve were treated by ESWL initially, and one by surgery. Of the 12 cases treated initially by ESWL, 4 became stone-free, 4 remained with small fragments, and 1 remained with large fragments. Two patients were operated on because of poor response to ESWL and 1 patient lost kidney function because of prolonged obstruction. Disintegration of cystine stones greater than 25 mm required an average of 8,522 shock-waves in 4.33 sessions. The problems associated with application of ESWL monotherapy to cystine stones are presented.     

Fate of residual fragments after successful extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the reason residual fragments from upper urinary tract calculi failed to clear after successful extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). METHODS: Risk factors were analyzed in 161 patients with residual fragments (< or = 4 mm) that had remained for more than 3 months after ESWL. The factors examined in the present study were gender, a history of urolithiasis, the number, location and size of stones, hydronephrosis 3 months after ESWL and bacteriuria before ESWL. The mean follow-up period was 20.0 months (range 6-69 months). RESULTS: The overall stone-free rate was 14.3%. The stone-free rate in patients with multiple stones or hydronephrosis 3 months after ESWL was significantly lower than that in patients without these conditions (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). The cumulative non-clearance rate in patients with hydronephrosis was significantly higher than in patients without this condition (P < 0.05). Results of Cox's proportional hazards model indicated that hydronephrosis was the most important and only significant factor for failure to clear of the seven factors investigated (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hydronephrosis was most highly correlated with the fate of residual fragments after ESWL.     

移植肾尿路结石46例诊治体会

目的探讨肾移植术后尿路结石的诊断和治疗,提高长期存活率。方法回顾性分析1980年1月至2011年6月46例移植肾结石患者的临床资料。结果 35例为肉眼血尿,10例为体检时B超发现,1例为急性无尿发病,均无肾绞痛。移植肾结石24例,移植输尿管结石22例,结石大小0.7～2.0 cm,结石发病时间为术后3.5（0.4～15）年。42例行体外冲击波碎石（ES-WL）,其中3例无效行输尿管镜下钬激光碎石术和1例行经皮肾镜取石术（PCNL）,4例尿酸结石给予枸橼酸氢钾钠（友来特）药物治疗。随访3个月：42例ESWL中,结石排净36例（85.72%）,结石残留2例（4.76%）,4例（9.52%）无效改用腔镜治疗后结石排出;4例尿酸结石口服枸橼酸氢钾钠结石大部分排出。结论移植肾结石缺乏典型肾绞痛表现,体外冲击波碎石术是治疗移植肾结石安全、有效的主要方法。     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy with the Storz Modulith SL20: the first 500 patients.

Our initial experience of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) with the Storz Modulith SL20 is reported. A total of 500 patients with 551 renal and 120 ureteric stones, mean diameter 11.9 mm, underwent 746 treatments; 68.2% of patients required a single treatment. The mean treatment rate for renal calculi was 1.4 and for ureteric calculi it was 1.5, rising to 4.2 for staghorns; 62.2% of treatments were performed on an out-patient basis. Analgesia (intravenous fentanyl) was required in 60.9% of treatments for renal calculi but in only 38.2% of those for ureteric calculi. The overall stone-free rate at 3 months was 77.6%, with a further 14.7% of patients having fragments less than 3 mm in diameter that required no further treatment. The stone-free rate was dependent on the site of the stone, with the majority of residual fragments lying in a lower pole calix. There were few complications. The Modulith is an efficient and safe lithotripter capable of treating stones in the kidney and throughout the ureter.     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the management of pediatric urolithiasis

The main objective of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the management of pediatric urolithiasis by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Between November 1988 and July 2000, 165 renal stones, 53 ureteral stones, and 5 bladder stones were treated in 126 pediatric patients using Siemens Lithostar lithotriptor. The ESWL treatments ranging from 1 to 7 were needed per patient (mean: 2.1). One ESWL session was performed for 49.6% of stones, two for 24.6%, three for 13.0 %, four for 5.6% and > 4 for 8.2%. The success rate for renal stone units (asymptomatic fragments less than 4 mm) was 88.2%, stone-free rate was 49.0%. The stone-free rate for ureteral stone units was 87.5%, but was 75% for bladder stones. The overall results of ESWL treatment in 126 children was satisfactory: the success rate was 90.5%, stone-free rate was 51.6%, residual fragments > 4 mm were 9.5%. General anesthesia was required in 65 children (136 treatments) under the age of 10, and only in 18 children (40 treatments) in the age 11–14. Auxiliary procedures, such as double J stent and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) were used in 19 and 7 patients, respectively. Perirenal hematoma in one patient and hematomas in enteric wall in another one patient were the only major complications managed conservatively without consequences. Low energy lithotripsy with the Siemens Lithostar in our series of pediatric patients was safe and relatively effective.     

Treatment of renal stones by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy: an update

AIM: Despite the extensive experience with minimal invasive stone therapy, there are still different views on the ideal management of renal stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis of the literature includes more than 14,000 patients. We have compared these data with long-term results of two major stone centers in Germany. The results have been compared concerning the anatomical kidney situation, stone size, stone localization and observation time. RESULTS: According to the importance of residual fragments following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), we have to distinguish between clinically insignificant residual fragments and clinically significant residual fragments (CIRF). 24 months following ESWL stone passage occurs as a continuous process, and if there are no clinical symptoms, any endoscopic procedure should be considered as overtreatment. According to these results, stone-free rates of patients increase in longer follow-up periods. Newer ESWL technology has increased the percentage of CIRF. CONCLUSION: We consider ESWL in most patients with renal calculi as first-line treatment, except in patients with renal calculi bigger than 30 mm in diameter.     

Outcomes of shockwave lithotripsy for upper urinary-tract stones: a large-scale study at a single institution

PURPOSE: We investigated the risk factors having an impact on the achievement of stone-free status and on the success rate, as well as on the likelihood of recurrence, in patients undergoing shockwave lithotripsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated the characteristics and outcomes of 3023 patients (3254 renal units) with upper urinary-tract stones who underwent SWL at the Funabashi Clinic over a 13-year period. We assessed the stone-free and success rates for 2844 patients (3061 renal units) 3 months post-SWL. We also determined the recurrence rate for the 1078 patients (1139 renal units) who had achieved stone-free status at that time. RESULTS: Overall, stone-free status was achieved in 65.1% of patients, and the success rate was 85.7%. There were significant differences in the stone-free rates depending on patient age, history of urolithiasis, and presence of pyuria before SWL, as well as the number, location, size, and composition of the stones. Stones recurred in 326 of 1139 renal units (28.6%) during a mean follow-up of 36 months. The recurrence rates were 7.5%, 24.1%, and 33.0% after 1, 3, 5 years, respectively. Multiple stones, a history of urolithiasis, and stones located in the kidney or both kidneys plus the ureter significantly influenced recurrence. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that multiple stones were most significantly related to recurrence. CONCLUSION: Treatment with SWL has a low morbidity and high effectiveness. The number and location of stones and a history of urolithiasis significantly influence recurrence. Further studies of prophylactic therapy are required, especially for patients with these factors.     

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy of Lower Calyx Calculi: How Much Is Treatment Outcome Influenced by the Anatomy of the Collecting System?

OBJECTIVES: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) of lower calyx stones has been criticized because of the high incidence of residual fragments. Controversial results have been reported regarding the stone-free rate after ESWL depending on the influence of the collecting system anatomy on stone clearance. Therefore we evaluated our stone-free rate after ESWL of lower calyx stones and searched for correlations to various anatomic parameters of the collecting system. METHODS: Ninety-six patients with isolated lower calyx stones treated exclusively with ESWL (Dornier HM3) were evaluated 3 mo postoperatively. The results were correlated with the following anatomic parameters of the collecting system as determined from the pretreatment intravenous urography: (1) lower infundibulum width, (2) lower infundibulum length, (3) infundibulopelvic angle, (4) volume of the collecting system. Follow-ups were performed 24 h after ESWL with an abdominal plain film and 3 mo postoperatively with a urography or abdominal plain X-ray together with renal ultrasound. RESULTS: Three months postoperatively, 68% of all patients were stone free, including 69% of the patients with stones initially < or =1 cm, and 67% of the patients with stones >1 cm. Stone-free patients compared with patients having residual fragments had no significant differences in infundibulum width, infundibulum length, infundibulopelvic angle, or collecting system volume. CONCLUSIONS: A stone-free rate 3 mo after ESWL of 68% overall justifies ESWL as a possible treatment option for lower calyx stones. Influence of the collecting system anatomy on disintegrate clearance from the lower calyx could not be demonstrated.     

Outcome and safety of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy as first-line therapy of lower pole nephrolithiasis

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to assess the efficiency of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) as initial therapy for isolated lower pole kidney stones smaller than 20 mm. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a 24-month period 116 patients with previously untreated single stones under 20 mm in diameter were treated with a Dornier lithotripter S. They were analyzed with regard to stone site and size, number of ESWL sessions, auxiliary measures, retreatment rates, complications and the time taken for stone clearance. RESULTS: 76 patients (65.5%) became stone free, 50 of them (43.1%) within 3 months after ESWL. Depending on stone size the stone-free rates were 67.1% for patients with a stone diameter of <10 mm (59 of 88 patients), and 60.7% for stone diameters between 10 and 20 mm (17 of 28 patients). Complications during and after treatment were rare, i.e. the necessity of ureteral stent insertion due to colic (n = 10), endoscopic stone removal (n = 2), acute pyelonephritis (n = 1), stonestreet (n = 1) and 1 case of hematoma not requiring intervention. The recurrence rate during follow-up (13.2-36.9, mean 25.0 months) was low: 16 patients (13.8%) had recurrent or persistent stones, and 74 patients (63.8%) had no evidence of urolithiasis. CONCLUSIONS: ESWL is a safe and efficient first-line therapy for treatment of isolated small lower pole kidney stones with acceptable stone-free rates, low morbidity, few complications and a low stone recurrence rate.     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in paraplegic and quadriplegic patients

As it is known, paraplegic and quadriplegic patients are at an increased risk for urolithiasis. We have studied the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in 15 patients with spinal cord dysfunction who were treated in our ESWL unit. A total of 23 treatments were performed. The number of shock waves ranged between 1500 and 3000 per treatment. Only 1 and 3 patients were stone-free at one-month and 3-month follow-up, respectively. Ten of 15 patients with long-term follow-up of 6 to 20 months were stone-free. The remaining 5 patients with residual fragments had staghorn calculi or stones larger than 2.5cm. We conclude that ESWL is an effective and well tolerated method for this population but the fragment clearance is delayed and below that for unselected patients.     

ESWL monotherapy for large-volume renal calculi: efficacy and morbidity

We assessed the efficacy and morbidity of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy in the treatment of 25 consecutive patients with large-volume renal calculi (surface area greater than or equal to 5.0 cm2). Eighteen of the calculi were infection (struvite) stones and 7 were sterile stones. In 21 cases internal ureteral stents were positioned before ESWL, but no patient underwent pretreatment percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) or percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PNL). An average of 2.1 procedures including ESWL, PCN, or ureteral interventions were required to achieve a stone-free renal collecting system and ureter, or residual stone particles less than 4 mm in diameter confined to the renal collecting system. Sixty percent of the patients required no ancillary procedures after ESWL. There were no differences in the mean duration of hospitalization, need for post-treatment ancillary procedures, time to clearance of ureteral fragments, and incidence of residual stone particles among patients with infection and sterile stones. Of 23 patients observed greater than three months (mean 10.9 mos) after ESWL, 43 percent had residual stone particles in the renal collecting system. Expansion of these particles or stone recurrence in the absence of residual particles has not been observed. We conclude that large volume renal calculi may be managed effectively and safely with ESWL monotherapy.     

Retrograde intrarenal stone surgery for extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy-resistant kidney stones

OBJECTIVE: The newer flexible ureteroscopes, 150-200-microm holmium YAG laser fibres and superflexible Dormia baskets have made it possible to reach and treat stones in all parts of the kidney. The object of this evaluation was to study the outcome of retrograde intrarenal stone surgery (RIRS) for extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL)-resistant kidney stones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 38 consecutive patients (18 males, 20 females) participated in the study. All patients had undergone ESWL prior to RIRS without success. In all cases the stones could be reached with the endoscope. Calculi ranged in size from 3 to 20 mm (mean 9 mm). In 32 cases the stones were fragmented using a holmium YAG laser and in six the stones could be extracted using zero-tip Dormia baskets without fragmentation. Sixteen patients had lower calyceal calculi and eight had an abnormal anatomy of the upper urinary tract. Intravenous pyelography was performed 6-8 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS: In all cases the stones could be reached and fragmented to some extent. After a single RIRS procedure, 22/38 patients (58%) were completely stone-free at follow-up, and four (11%) had residual fragments < or = 4 mm in size that were expected to pass spontaneously. Of the remaining 12 patients, who initially had larger stones (mean 11.3 mm), the residual fragments ranged in size from 5 to 15 mm. Three patients underwent an additional RIRS procedure, after which they were all completely stone-free, resulting in an overall success rate of 76%. There were no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: RIRS is a safe procedure with a high success rate and a low complication rate for ESWL-resistant renal stones. Patients with larger stones (> 10 mm), those with stones in the lower pole and those with an abnormal renal anatomy may require more than one procedure.     

The fate of residual fragments after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy monotherapy of infection stones

We reviewed 53 patients with infection stones treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) monotherapy to determine the long-term rate free of stones and the stone recurrence rate as correlated with the pre-treatment stone burden and the radiological presence of sand or fragments after the procedure. Long-term followup (mean 26.6 months) was available on 33 patients representing 38 kidneys. Although only 3 kidneys were free of stones immediately after ESWL, 20 were without stones at 3 months and 18 (47%) were stone-free at followup. Of 9 kidneys with fragments of more than 5 mm. after the final treatment 7 (78%) had residual fragments at 3 months and experienced stone progression. Of 9 kidneys with sand remaining 6 (66%) and all 3 kidneys that appeared to be free of stones after ESWL were without stones at followup. The 3-month plain film of the kidneys, ureters and bladder was a reliable indicator of eventual outcome. Of 20 kidneys that were free of stones at 3 months 16 remained without stones. Of 18 kidneys with residual stone particles at 3 months 14 showed disease progression, 2 had stable disease and 2 passed residual sand. Only 1 of 17 patients who were free of stones or had stable stone disease had a positive urine culture at followup. Patients with infection stone fragments 3 months after ESWL monotherapy have a high rate of stone progression (78%) and should undergo further treatment. ESWL monotherapy of infection stones requires close patient followup to assure that all residual fragments have passed and urine remains sterile.     

Medical management for the prevention of the recurrence of urolithiasis--with special recurrence to the patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PNL) or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)

Questionnaires about stone recurrence after treatment with percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PNL) or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) were sent to 11 hospitals in the central section of Japan. We received 255 replies on PNL cases and 157 replies on ESWL cases. These patients were evaluated for the recurrence of renal stones and the enlargement of residual stone fragments. The effect of the medical management for the prevention of recurrent stone disease on postoperative recurrence rate was also evaluated. The average follow-up period of patients treated with PNL was 21.6 months, and 18.5 months for patients treated with ESWL. In patients who underwent PNL, 25 of 162 patients (15.4%) who were treated completely without any residual stones have suffered from new stones. The residual stone or fragments enlarged in 14 of the 93 patients (15.1%) who had residual stones or fragments after the treatment. The recurrence rate was significantly higher for the recurrent stone former than the single stone former. The recurrence rate for the patients who had multiple stones, staghorn calculi and metabolic disorders such as hypercalciuria also had a high incidence. Patients who received medical treatment for the prevention of stone recurrence had a lower recurrence rate than the group not treated. Especially among the patients with hypercalciuria, the recurrence rate of stone disease in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the group not treated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Treatment of staghorn calculi. Strategies and results of the combined use of new technics

From January 1984 to June 1986, 270 patients with staghorn calculi were treated by ESWL, PCNL, or a combination of both. The indications were determined according to stone burden, distribution of stone load, architecture of the renal collecting system, radiopacity, and chemical composition of the calculi. Another group (83 patients) treated from January 1982 to October 1983 exclusively with open surgery was also examined. In a retrospective study, the treatment and follow-up data of the two groups were evaluated and compared. At discharge, 78 (29%) of the patients treated by the new techniques were free of stones, while 192 (71%) still had residual fragments in the kidney or in the ureter. Among the group treated by open surgery, 54 (65.1%) were free of stones at discharge, 17 (20.4%) still had residual fragments, and 12 (14.5%) had to undergo nephrectomy. The follow-up data (18 months n = 186) for the ESWL-PCNL-group revealed a stone-free rate of 54.8%. Residual fragments were observed in 40.3% and recurrent stone formation occurred in only 4.9%. Follow-up examination of group treated by open surgery (42 months, n = 61) revealed a stone-free rate of 72.1%, while residual stones persisted in 8.2% and recurrent stone formation occurred in 19.7%. The incidence of urinary tract infection was only 11.3% after ESWL/PCNL, as against 30% after open surgery. It is remarkable that 80% of the patients with residual fragments after ESWL-PCNL did not have any such symptoms as infection or colic.     

Prediction of success rate after extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy of renal stones--a multivariate analysis model

OBJECTIVES: To define prognostic factors that affect the success rate after extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) of renal calculi and to estimate the probability of stone-free status using a regression analysis model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between February 1992 and February 2002, 2954 patients with single or multiple radiopaque renal stones (<30 mm) underwent ESWL monotherapy. The results of treatment were evaluated after 3 months of follow-up. Treatment success was defined as complete clearance of the stones with no residual fragments. The stone-free rate was correlated with stone features and patient characteristics using the chi2 test. Factors found to be significant using the chi2 test were further analyzed using multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: At 3-month follow-up, the overall stone-free rate using ESWL monotherapy was 86.7%. Failure to disintegrate the stones was observed in 7.3% of cases (n = 216) and failure to clear the fragmented stones occurred in 6% (n = 177). Repeat ESWL was needed in 53% of cases. Static steinstrasse occurred in 4.9% of cases (n = 146) and post-ESWL auxiliary procedures were required in 4% (n = 118). Using the chi2 test, patient age (p < 0.001), stone size (p < 0.001), location (p < 0.001), number (p < 0.001) and nature (p = 0.003), radiological renal picture (p < 0.001) and congenital renal anomalies (p < 0.001) had a significant impact on the stone-free rate. Multivariate analysis excluded stone nature from the logistic regression model while other factors maintained their statistically significant effect on success rate, indicating that they were independent predictors. A regression analysis model was designed to estimate the probability of stone-free status after ESWL. The sensitivity of the model was 83%, the specificity 91% and the overall accuracy 87%. CONCLUSION: Patient age, stone size, location and number, radiological renal features and congenital renal anomalies are prognostic factors determining stone clearance after ESWL of renal calculi. Our regression model can predict the probability of the success of ESWL with an accuracy of 87%.     

X线下Ⅱ期经皮肾镜弹道联合超声清石系统治疗残余肾结石

目的探讨X线定位经皮肾镜取石术(percutaneous nephrolithotomy,PCNL)治疗残余肾结石的临床应用价值。方法2005年7月～2008年11月,采用X线下定位Ⅱ期PCNL治疗残余肾结石90例,其中单侧肾结石81例,双侧肾结石9例。结果76例结石直接完全清除,6例仍有直径1cm残余结石,余8例因建立盏间通道出血,Ⅲ期清除结石。术后无严重并发症,无术后出血及感染症状。90例中失访8例,82例随访3～6个月,平均4.5月,术后无严重并发症。结论X线下Ⅱ期经皮肾镜碎石术是治疗残余肾结石的一种安全、有效方法,具有较高的结石清除率,并发症少。     

Immediate in situ ESWL as monotherapy in acute obstructive urolithiasis: useful or not?

Thirty-two patients with acute obstructive urolithiasis were treated without intervention (stent, nephrostomy tube) within 72 hours after onset of symptoms by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Relief of obstruction, proven sonographically, was obtained within 48 hours in 78.6% of the patients and 90.6% were stone-free 6 weeks after treatment. Best results were obtained for proximal ureteral stones while the influence of stone volume did not appear to be significant. Whereas our stone-free results for treatment of calculi smaller than 5 mm (92.3%) can be criticized because without treatment these stones may pass spontaneously, a high success rate for larger stones (89.4%) was also noted. These results for in situ ESWL compare favorably to those of ESWL with stent bypass and suggest that ESWL monotherapy should be considered as a noninvasive first line therapy when treating acute obstructive urolithiasis.     

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy in patients with spinal cord dysfunction

Patients with spinal cord dysfunction are at an increased risk for urolithiasis. A retrospective study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in this population. Thirteen kidneys received 19 treatments averaging 2,350 shocks per renal unit. All but one of the stones showed good fragmentation; however, none of the patients was stone-free at three months. Four of 9 patients with long-term follow-up were stone-free at five to fifteen months. Our poor stone-free rate is similar to that found in other studies of patients with spinal cord dysfunction. ESWL was well tolerated in this population, however, the clearance of stones is poor and delayed.