ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND BILIARY EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK-WAVE LITHOTRIPSY

The results of shock-wave treatment of gallbladder stones depend to a very high degree on the quality and expertise of ultrasonography appli ed before, during, and after shock-wave disintegration of the stones. Ultrasonography is decisive in evaluating the inclusion criteria; it i s the method of choice for directing the shock-wave energy at the ston es and monitoring the disintegration process. It is the only diagnosti c modality to really demonstrate the gallbladder being free from stone s.