EFFECT OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK-WAVE LITHO TRIPSY IN PRIMARY HYPEROXALURIA

Background. - Application of extracorporal shock wave lithotripsy (ESW L) has revolutionized the management of many types of urolithiasis, in cluding that observed in primary hyperoxaluria where surgical attempts to remove calculi sometimes result in worsening of renal function. Ca se reports. - Three unrelated patients aged 8, 10 and 11 years, respec tively, with type I primary hyperoxaluria, suffered from recurrent bou ts of abdominal pain (two patients) or anemia (one patient). Two patie nts had chronic renal failure. Plain abdominal films and ultrasonograp hy showed several large bilateral stones. ESWL was applied to the thre e patients permitting complete removal of stones following three sessi ons in one patient and partial removal following four sessions in the second patient who developed infection after the first session with tr ansitory increase in creatinemia. Several sessions of ESWL failed to f ragment stones in the third patient. Conclusion. - ESWL may represent a safe procedure for attempting stone removal in patients with primary hyperoxaluria.