UROLITHIASIS WITH CONGENITAL UPPER TRACT ANOMALIES - A 4-YEAR EXPERIENCE WITH EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK-WAVE LITHOTRIPSY

Calculus formation is a natural sequela of anatomic anomalies of the u pper urinary tract, and endourologic and open surgery can be difficult in these cases. Since July 1988, 81 patients with urolithiasis and re noureteral anomalies were treated with SWL on the Siemens Lithostar. R etrograde ureteropyelography and double-J stenting was done in 75 and 73 patients, respectively. All patients had satisfactory fragmentation , although 48% needed more than one session. The 6-month stone-free ra te was 90%. Follow-up of 3 to 44 months in 32 patients revealed urinar y infection in 1 patient and asymptomatic residual calculi in 3. SWL m ay be considered safe and successful for noninvasive management of cal culus disease in patients with upper tract anomalies.