Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy for radiolucent calculi in the upper urinary tract

Eight years have passed since extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was used clinically for the first time, and now its usefulness is recognized all over the world. At first, variable cases were considered to be contra-indicative, one of which was the radiolucent calculi. This time for two cases of the radiolucent calculi we performed ESWL under retrograde pyelography. Using this technique, we brought the filling defect of RP into the focus of the shock waves. The stones were effectively disintegrated and these patients became stone-free in five weeks.