Is ESWL recommended in all cases of kidney stones?
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Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:ESWL is usually well-suited to patients with small kidney stones that can be easily seen by X-ray. However, there are certain exceptions for patients who:
• Are pregnant
• Take “blood thinners” or who have bleeding disorders. (Aspirin or other blood thinners must be discontinued for at least 1 week prior to ESWL.)
• Have a chronic kidney infection, as some fragments may not pass, so the bacteria will not be completely eliminated from the kidney
• Have an obstruction or scar tissue in the ureter, which may prevent stone fragments from passing
• Who require immediate and/or complete clearance of stone material
• Have stones composed of cystine and certain types of calcium, as these stones do not fragment well with ESWLESWL is usually well-suited to patients with small kidney stones that can be easily seen by X-ray. However, there are certain exceptions for patients who: • Are pregnant • Take “blood... More -
Healthwise answered:ESWL may be used on people with a kidney stone that is causing pain or blocking the urine flow. Stones that are between 4 mm (0.16 in.) and 2 cm (0.8 in.) in diameter are most likely to be treated with ESWL.
ESWL may work best for kidney stones in the kidney or in the part of the ureter close to the kidney. Your surgeon may try to push the stone back into the kidney with a small instrument (ureteroscope) and then use ESWL.
ESWL is usually not used if you:
- Are pregnant. The sound waves and X-rays may be harmful to the fetus.
- Have a bleeding disorder.
- Have a kidney infection, urinary tract infection, or kidney cancer.
- Have kidneys with abnormal structure or function.
ESWL may be used on people with a kidney stone that is causing pain or blocking the urine flow. Stones that are between 4 mm (0.16 in.) and 2 cm (0.8 in.) in diameter are most likely to be treated with ESWL. ESWL may work best for kidney stones... More -
Intermountain Healthcare answered:Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) works best for stones smaller than 10 mm, located in the kidney or high in the ureter. Stones low in the ureter (near the pelvis and bladder) don't usually respond well to ESWL treatment. Some stones, such as monohydrate and cystine, are too hard to break with ESWL and require other treatment.Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) works best for stones smaller than 10 mm, located in the kidney or high in the ureter. Stones low in the ureter (near the pelvis and bladder) don't usually respond well to ESWL treatment. Some... More
