Effects of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy on renal function

Choo, Myung Soo; Oh, Seung Joon; Kim, Si Whang

Abstract

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL) has become a major treatment modality for symptomatic renal stone disease. Although ESWL was proved to be effective in disintegrating stones it is known that some radiological evidence of transient renal malfunction could be possible after ESWL. However. it has been difficult to assess the renal damage quantitatively. We evaluated several basic physiologic parameters namely, total protein excretion, creatinine clearance and beta-2-microglobulin excretion in aliquots of 24 hour urine samples. ESWL was performed using Siemens Lithostar device. In a total of. 33 patients urine samples were obtained before, 1 day and 7 days after ESWL without prior manipulation. Our data showed that transient increased protein excretion and decreased creatinine clearance occur immediately after treatment, and return to pre-procedure levels within 7 days without a change in beta-2-microelobulin excretion after ESWL. Conclusively, renal damage induced by ESWL is thought to be transient and of limited magnitude of brief duration.