Ces Urol 2010, 14(2):73-80 | DOI: 10.48095/cccu2010013
The essentials of physics of extra-corporeal shock wave lithotripsy
- Urologická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN v Praze
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) utilizes a specific acoustic characteristics of a shock wave, which enables fragmentation of urinary stone. Shock wave is a acoustic wave generated by the shock wave source with high energy and variable frequency. Stone disintegration is caused by interaction of the shock between two acoustically different mediums. The main mechanisms of shock wave action is spallation, squeezing, acustic cavitation and compression. This method was invented and introduced to the clinical practice in the early 1980s in Germany and from that time this method has earned its position as a first-line treatment option in nearly 90% of patients with urinary stones.
Keywords: extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, mechanism of shock wave action, physics, shock wave
Received: October 20, 2009; Accepted: December 2, 2009; Published: March 1, 2010
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