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Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) for Kidney Stones
ESWL may be used on people with a kidney stone that is causing pain or blocking the urine flow. Stones that are between 4 mm (0.16 in.) and 2 cm (0.8 in.) in diameter are most likely to be treated with ESWL.
ESWL may work best for kidney stones in the kidney or in the part of the ureter close to the kidney. Your surgeon may try to push the stone back into the kidney with a small instrument (ureteroscope) and then use ESWL.
ESWL is usually not used if you:
- Are pregnant. The sound waves and X-rays may be harmful to the fetus.
- Have a bleeding disorder.
- Have a kidney infection, urinary tract infection, or kidney cancer.
- Have kidneys with abnormal structure or function.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 28, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Tushar J. Vachharajani, MD, FASN, FACP - Nephrology | |
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