Maximizing the effectiveness of this treatment modality has been the focus of clinical research recently.
Researchers from the University of Toronto reviewed the outcome of 283 SWL treatments across three x-ray technologists at three different treatment centers for a variety of stone and patient factors. They found that the x-ray technologist did not have a significant impact on SWL treatment success and outcome at 2 weeks and 3 months follow-up. However, the greater the amount of fluoroscopy time was associated with significantly improved stone clearance outcomes, suggesting that the use of fluoroscopy to ensure accurate targeting during the SWL treatment is a critical factor for the success of this treatment modality.
Presented by Michael Ordon, et al. at the American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting - May 14 - 19, 2011 - Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC USA
Reported for UroToday by Elspeth M. McDougall, MD, FRCSC, Professor of Urology/Director, Surgical Education Institute at the University of California, Irvine.
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