STONE RECURRENCE AFTER SHOCKWAVE LITHOTRIPSY - POSSIBLE ENHANCED CRYSTAL DEPOSITION IN TRAUMATIZED TISSUE IN RABBIT MODEL

To evaluate the possible traumatizing effect of high-energy shockwaves (HESW) on new stone formation as indicated by crystal deposition in t he renal parenchyma, we performed an experimental study in 50 rabbits, During severe oxaluria induced by continuous ethylene glycol (0.75%) administration, animals in the first group (N = 15) received 500 to 15 00 shockwaves. Animals in the second group (N = 15) underwent no speci fic therapy apart from ethylene glycol administration, In a third grou p of animals (N = 15), only shockwave administration was applied, Sham group animals constituted the last group in our study (N = 5), Three months after shockwave application, tissue sections obtained from trea ted and untreated kidneys were evaluated histopathologically under lig ht and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the presence and deg ree of crystal deposition in the cortical parenchymal region subjected to HESW, Crystal deposition was evident in the intercellular region a nd intratubular parts of the parenchyma in animals subjected to HESW a pplication, especially in those receiving relatively high (1000 or 150 0) numbers of shockwaves, On the other hand, no crystal formation and deposition was detectable in animals undergoing only ethylene glycol t herapy or shockwave administration alone, Sham group animals demonstra ted no significant renal histopathology, The traumatic effects of HESW should be evaluated as a factor in new stone formation after SWL.