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Urinary Tract Stone Disease pp 469–477Cite as

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for Ureteral Stones

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Abstract

Shock wave lithotripsy has been utilized for the management of ureteral calculi since its introduction in the 1980s, although historically its use was limited to the treatment of proximal ureteral calculi. Currently, stones in all locations of the ureters can be treated successfully with SWL, albeit occasionally with the need for special positioning or use of ureteral catheters or intravenous contrast to facilitate localization. The feasibility and success of SWL for ureteral calculi are influenced by stone size, location, and composition, as well as on patient anatomy and comorbidities. Recent investigations have demonstrated that treatment parameters can be optimized and a variety of adjuvant measures can be utilized to enhance success rates and increase the safety of the procedure. Current guidelines endorse the use of SWL for the management of most patients with small-to-moderate-sized ureteral calculi.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA

    Jay D. Raman

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  1. Jay D. Raman
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  2. Margaret S. Pearle
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Correspondence to Jay D. Raman .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Urology, Spire Manchester Hospital, Russell Road, Manchester, M16 8AJ, United Kingdom

    Nagaraja P. Rao

  2. Division of Urologic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, 27710, North Carolina, USA

    Glenn M. Preminger

  3. Department of Urology, South Manchester University Hospitals, Manchester, M20 2LR, United Kingdom

    John P. Kavanagh

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Raman, J.D., Pearle, M.S. (2010). Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for Ureteral Stones. In: Rao, N., Preminger, G., Kavanagh, J. (eds) Urinary Tract Stone Disease. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84800-362-0_40

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84800-362-0_40

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