Although extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) is one of the primary treatments for urolithiasis, very often residual fragments of the calculi are still present for a long time after the ESWL session.
These fragments are usually asymptomatic and can be managed expectantly, but sometimes they can cause symptoms and require intervention. Secondary procedures are not routinely applied to all patients with residual fragments, but only to those with significant symptoms. Medical therapy may play an important role in the management of residual fragments, by correcting an underlying metabolic disorder and by preventing the growth of residual calculi and the formation of new ones.
Written by:
Porfyris O, Delakas D. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, General Hospital of Athens Asclepieio Voulas, Athens, Greece.
Reference: Scand J Urol Nephrol. 2012 Jun;46(3):188-95.
doi: 10.3109/00365599.2011.644861
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22321017
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