Value of ultrasound guided piezolelectric shock wave lithotripsy in pancreatic stones.

Aim: Most patients with pancreatic duct stones have been treated with litho tripters that use xray for stone targeting, We wanted to evaluate ultrasoun d guided lithotripsy in clinical use. Methods: In a prospective clinical st udy 80 patients (62 men) with symptomatic obstructive chronic pancreatitis were treated with a piezoelectric lithotripter under ultrasound guidance (t wo in-line 4-MHz-Scanners). Results: Stone targeting by ultrasound guidance was possible in 76 patients. Fragmentation succeeded in 53 patients (70%). Complete or partial stone clearance was achieved in 43 patients, a success rate of 54%. Conclusion: Ultrasound guided shock wave lithotripsy of pancr eatic duct stones plays an important role in the treatment of chronic pancr eatitis.