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Objective: To assess the effects of the interposition of pelvic bones and abdominal gas in the shockwave pathway during piezoelectric extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) of distal ureteric stones., Patients and Methods: The study included 35 patients who were evaluated with unenhanced spiral computed tomography (CT), used according to their positioning during ESWL. The shockwave pathway was simulated on the sagittal and coronal views crossing the ureteric calculi, allowing a theoretical evaluation of the effective shockwave focusing (with no bone or gas interference). Vertical and oblique approaches were statistically compared for bone and gas interposition., Results: Overall, the effective shockwave focusing during in situ piezoelectric ESWL of distal ureteric stones was 71% of the theoretical area. The interposition of bone and gas was significantly lower for an oblique access than for a vertical approach in the sagittal plane (P < 0.001 and 0.03 on the sagittal and coronal views, respectively). Using stepwise logistic regression, the difference between vertical and oblique accesses in the sagittal plane was mainly affected by the bladder volume (P < 0.001). On the coronal views, the interposition of bone and gas affected 31 patients (89%). Such interference was eliminated in 73% of the patients with a contralateral inclination of the shockwave axis in the coronal plane., Conclusion: The interposition of pelvic bones and abdominal gas in the shockwave pathway can affect the performance of piezoelectric ESWL of distal ureteric stones. While awaiting clinical confirmation of these theoretical data, we recommend that patients are treated with the bladder full and that the shockwave generator is inclined in both the coronal and sagittal planes.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of the site and dimensions of ureteric stones on the modalities and performances of in situ piezoelectric extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)., Material and Methods: A population of 385 patients with solitary radiopaque ureteric stones was analysed. The long axis of these stones (211 (55%) lumbar, 38 (10%) iliac and 136 (35%) pelvic stones) ranged from 5 to 21 mm (mean = 8.2 mm). The initial shock wave frequency was 4/s. Lumbar stones were treated in the dorsal supine position under diaz-analgesia and pelvic stones were treated in the ventral supine position without systematic sedation. The influence of wave frequency (1 versus 4/s) on the level of sedation and therapeutic performances was studied on 146 patients with lumbar (n = 92) or pelvic stones (n = 54). The results were evaluated after only one ESWL session and were analysed statistically by Student's test and Fisher test., Results: The overall complete success rate was 74%. Iliac stones were characterized by significantly (p < 0.05) lower (61%) performances. The results were inversely proportional to the size of the stones, as the complete success rate was only 25% for stones > 12 mm. For lumbar stones, a lower frequency allowed a very significant reduction (p < 0.0001) of the level of sedation required without affecting the performance. For pelvic stones, a low frequency significantly (p < 0.05) limited the efficacy of ESWL, especially for stones > 8 mm (27% of complete successes)., Conclusion: In situ piezoelectric ESWL allows effective management of most ureteric stones with of long axis between 5 and 10 mm. In the context of outpatient treatment, however, this approach requires modulation of the shock wave frequency according to the site of the stone. Another therapeutic approach, particularly endoscopy, should be considered for very large stones.

Purpose: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the relation between stone depth and the efficiency of piezoelectric extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL)., Patients and Methods: A total of 150 patients presenting with 25 pelvic, 75 caliceal, and 25 upper and 25 lower ureteral calculi were treated using the EDAP LT02 lithotripter. All of the stones were easy to localize with sonographic and radiographic systems, and their largest diameter ranged from 4 to 25 mm (mean 8.5 mm). Renal and upper ureteral calculi were treated with the patient in the supine position and lower ureteral stones in prone position. On the basis of a meticulous stone localization and focusing, depth measurements were carried out under real-time ultrasonic guidance, the minimal distance between the cutaneous plane and the focal point being recorded only for definitely localized calculi., Results: Ureteral calculi were significantly deeper than renal stones (p < 0.0001), but the distance from the cutaneous plane was statistically similar for upper and lower ureteral calculi. Stone depth was statistically affected by body mass index (BMI), patients with a BMI >25 having significantly deeper renal and ureteral calculi than subjects with a BMI < or =25 (p < 0.00001 and 0.01, respectively). Renal stones resisting SWL were significantly deeper than successfully treated calculi (p < 0.03). At the level of the ureter, the success rate after one SWL session was 85% for stones with a depth < or =110 mm and 57% for deeper stones, the difference being significant (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Stone depth has a significant influence on treatment outcome after piezoelectric SWL for both renal and ureteral calculi. We recommend particular attention be given to corpulent patients presenting with ureteral stones.

Background: The development of newer-generation lithotripters has reduced the pain associated with SWL, but many patients still require some form of sedation. We prospectively compared the analgesic requirements for kidney and upper ureteral treatments. Predictive factors for pain during piezoelectric SWL were also studied., Patients and Methods: A total of 102 consecutive patients without any previous experience of SWL were treated for renal (N = 70) or upper ureteral (N = 32) calculi using the EDAP LT02 lithotripter. The stones' largest diameter ranged from 4 to 30 mm (mean 9 mm). Patients were given an oral dose of 60 mg of dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride and 800 mg of paracetamol associated with 100 mg of ketoprofene per rectum 30 minutes before treatment. The SWL session was begun at low intensity and increased to the maximal range of energy as rapidly as could be tolerated by the patient. The amount of pain during treatment was recorded according to a visual analogue scale (VAS). Further analgesia using intravenous alfentanil was given as required by the severity of the pain. Visual analog pain scores, additional sedation requirements, and success rates after one session were analyzed., Results: The VAS scores and intravenous sedation requirements were significantly lower for patients with upper ureteral stones than for those with renal calculi (P < 0.01). The stone-free rates after one session were, respectively, 90% and 73% (P < 0.05). On the other hand, SWL tolerance was significantly lower for women presenting with renal stones (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Piezoelectric SWL without intravenous sedation is suitable for the treatment of upper ureteral calculi. However, such an approach is less efficient in the management of kidney stones, especially for female patients.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of in situ piezolectric extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the middle part of the ureter., Material and Methods: 36 consecutive patients presenting with stones of the middle part of the ureter were treated by in situ piezoelectric ESWL (EDAP LT 02). The maximal dimensions of the stones ranged from 5 to 14 mm (m = 7.8). Moderate or severe ureterohydronephrosis was present in 19 cases (53%) and a double J stent had been previously implanted in 6 cases (17%). The ESWL sessions were performed in the ventral supine position without any anaesthesia or systematic premedication, but an IM injection of 100 mg of pethidine was administered during poorly tolerated treatments., Results: The stone was located easily in 23 cases (64%) and with greater difficulty in 13 cases (36%), as an intraoperative intravenous injection of contrast agent was performed in 6 cases (17%). The number of sessions per patient ranged from 1 to 2 (m = 1.16). The complete sucess rate was 75%, with a 64% success rate after a single ESWL session. The performances were statistically independent of stone dimensions and the degree of obstruction of the urinary tract. The complication rate was 5.5%, but no ancillary endoscopic or percutaneous treatment was required., Conclusion: In situ piezoelectric ESWL allows effective management of most stones of the middle part of the ureter. However, the treatment of stones with a maximal diameter < 5 mm, especially poorly radiopaque stones, can raise problems of localization. Very large or impacted stones, especially when complicated by urinary tract infection, should be preferably treated by first-line ureteroscopy.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the EDAP LT 02 lithotripter for the in situ treatment of ureteric calculi., Patients and Methods: One hundred consecutive patients presenting with ureteric calculi were treated with in situ piezoelectric extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) using the EDAP LT 02 lithotripter. There were 49 patients with upper, nine with mid and 42 with lower ureteric stones. The largest diameter of the stones varied from 7 to 21 mm (mean 9.6 mm). Mild or severe hydronephrosis was present in 53 cases. Mid and lower ureteric stones were treated with the patients in the prone position, with no anaesthesia or pre-medication, and upper ureteric stones in the supine position, with intravenous sedation in 44 cases., Results: Localization of the stones was easy in 81 cases and more difficult in 19, but an intravenous pyelogram was only necessary in three cases. The number of sessions per patient varied from 1 to 3 (mean 1.17). Complete success rate was achieved in 75% of patients and partial success (residual stones < or = 3 mm) in 6%. The stone-free rate was statistically affected by stone size but was independent of stone localization or the degree of obstruction. The rate of infective and obstructive complications was 14% and auxiliary treatments were necessary in 5% of patients., Conclusion: In situ piezoelectric ESWL with the EDAP LT 02 device is a convenient and efficient method for the treatment of ureteric stones.

From April to September 1992, systematic screening for iatrogenic vesicoureteric reflux was performed in a series of 30 patients treated by rigid ureterorenoscopy. Most of these endoscopies were performed for renal stones using a Wolff Multiscope (7.5/12 F) without prior dilatation of the urinary tract. The study protocol was essentially based on pre- and postoperative retrograde and voiding cystography. The site and tone of the ureteric orifice and the compliance of the intramural ureter were also evaluated and the operating time was determined. Out of 33 ureteric endoscopies, only one case of type I pelvic vesicoureteric reflux was demonstrated following an operation with no particular technical problems. This rare and benign deferred complication draws attention to the potential consequences of rigid ureterorenoscopy on the vesicoureteric antireflux device.

From May 1992 to October 1993, 150 ureteral stones, impervious to piezoelectric extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) with ultrasound localization (EDAP LT.01), were treated with the Lithoclast. The maximum dimensions varied from 5 to 25 mm with a mean of 11 mm. 46 calculi were situated in the pelvic ureter, 82 in the abdominal ureter, and 22 were stuck in the ureteropelvic junction. There was no complete failure of fragmentation, but 39 abdominal calculi (48%) required additional treatment by ESWL due to migration of the fragments into the calyces. Apart from a few needle-sized perforations, ureteral tissue was not damaged by the Lithoclast. The use of this endoscopic lithotripter, which is highly efficient and painless, is, however, limited by the significant effect of retrograde propulsion of very mobile stones or fragments in the urinary tract.

25 hydroelectric endoureteric lithotripsies (Group 1, Riwolith) and 35 ballistic endoureteric lithotripsies (Group 2, Lithoclast) were analysed. 60 stones were treated, including 18 pelvic stones (Group 1 : 10, Group 2 : 8), 39 iliolumbar stones (Group 1 : 14, Group 2 : 25), and 3 stones of the ureteropelvic junction (Group 1 : 1, Group 2 : 2). The mean maximal diameter was 9.9 mm (Group 1 : 8.2, Group 2 : 11). Complementary Dormia extraction was performed in 24 cases (Group 1 : 8, Group 2 : 16), 55 double J stents were implanted (Group 1 : 24, Group 2 : 31) and 23 immediate ECL sessions were performed (Group 1 : 8, Group 2 : 15). Overall, 57 good results were recorded, but 3 complete failures of fragmentation and 2 severe ureteric lesions were attributed to hydroelectric lithotripsy. The Lithoclast, much less traumatic, had a greater stone fragmentation potential, but its efficacy on very mobile stones is limited due to its more intense stone propulsion effect.