Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
Sugiyama, M.; Muto, T.; Atomi, Y.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 51(7): 1797-1801
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 8366598 Document Number: 421485
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was performed in 84 patients with gallbladder stones. The gallstones completely disappeared within 12 months after ESWL, in 31% of the patients with one to three radiolucent stones not larger than 3 cm in diameter and in 57% of the patients with a solitary stone up to 2 cm with the ultrasonographic gallstone pattern of I a or I b. There was no major complication. ESWL is a safe and effective treatment in selected patients with a solitary radiolucent stone not larger than 2 cm with I a or I b pattern.