Effects of electromagnetic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy on the fine structure of the liver and gallbladder of the rabbit.

The fine structure of the liver and gallbladder of rabbits submitted to lithotripsy was studied with transmission electron microscopy. Alterations found in both organs involved capilaries, venules and small veins as well as neighboring tissues. In the liver the most important alterations were seen in those areas located about central veins. These consisted in mitochondrial vacuolation, increase in the cytoplasmic electrondensity, and necrosis. In the gallbladder different stages of epithelial damage and regeneration (i.e. mitoses) were observed. Vascular damage was characterized by mitochondrial swollen and increase of nuclear and cytoplasmic electrondensities. The gallbladder's stroma displayed cell vacuolation, pyknosis, and edema. It is proposed that the damage produced by lithotripsy results from a direct colision of red blood cells upon blood vessels. Tissue damage was considered focal and in most cases reversible.