Lithotripsy
Lithotripsy
Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is the process of fragmentation of renal or ureteric stones by the use of repetitive shock waves generated outside the body and focused onto the stone. Following its introduction in 1980, SWL revolutionized the treatment of kidney stones by offering patients a non-invasive procedure. It is now seen as a mature technology and its use is perceived to be routine. It is noteworthy that, at the time of its introduction, there was a great effort to discover the mechanism(s) by which it works, and the type of sound field that is optimal. Although nearly three decades of subsequent research have increased the knowledge base significantly, the mechanisms are still controversial. Furthermore there is a growing body of evidence that SWL results in injury to the kidney which may have long-term side effects, such as new onset hypertension, although again there is much controversy within the field. Currently, use of lithotripsy is waning, particularly with the advent of minimally invasive ureteroscopic approaches. The goal here is to review the state of the art in SWL and to present the barriers and challenges that need to be addressed for SWL to deliver on its initial promise of a safe, effective, non-invasive treatment for kidney stones.
317-342
Leighton, T.G.
3e5262ce-1d7d-42eb-b013-fcc5c286bbae
Cleveland, R.O.
d6a37c5e-fbf9-42ea-8f87-3ab38c452b9f
February 2010
Leighton, T.G.
3e5262ce-1d7d-42eb-b013-fcc5c286bbae
Cleveland, R.O.
d6a37c5e-fbf9-42ea-8f87-3ab38c452b9f
Leighton, T.G. and Cleveland, R.O.
(2010)
Lithotripsy.
Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine, 224 (2), .
(doi:10.1243/09544119JEIM588).
Abstract
Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is the process of fragmentation of renal or ureteric stones by the use of repetitive shock waves generated outside the body and focused onto the stone. Following its introduction in 1980, SWL revolutionized the treatment of kidney stones by offering patients a non-invasive procedure. It is now seen as a mature technology and its use is perceived to be routine. It is noteworthy that, at the time of its introduction, there was a great effort to discover the mechanism(s) by which it works, and the type of sound field that is optimal. Although nearly three decades of subsequent research have increased the knowledge base significantly, the mechanisms are still controversial. Furthermore there is a growing body of evidence that SWL results in injury to the kidney which may have long-term side effects, such as new onset hypertension, although again there is much controversy within the field. Currently, use of lithotripsy is waning, particularly with the advent of minimally invasive ureteroscopic approaches. The goal here is to review the state of the art in SWL and to present the barriers and challenges that need to be addressed for SWL to deliver on its initial promise of a safe, effective, non-invasive treatment for kidney stones.
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Published date: February 2010
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 80512
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/80512
ISSN: 0954-4119
PURE UUID: 25a989b3-5f93-4329-9544-dd74fc47f92c
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 24 Mar 2010
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:37
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
R.O. Cleveland
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics
