The effect of ESWL of renal calculi on pancreatic function

Fifteen patients were treated by ESWL for renal calculi. The sagittal size of the head, neck and tail of the pancreas, and serum amylase, insulin, c-peptide and 24-hour urine amylase levels were estimated pre and post-treatment. Serum glucose, serum amylase and urinary levels remained within normal limits. Serum levels of insulin, c-peptide and the size of the gland increased but this was not statistically significant. There may be some danger to the pancreas during ESWL as there are some morphological changes even though there are no evident peptide changes. Caution should be taken if patients have a history of pancreatitis.