Successful extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for sibling pancreatic duct stones

We present a case of 2 brothers with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis associated with pancreatic duct stones which could be successfully disintegrated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). An obvious etiology for the pancreatolithiasis, like alcohol or biliary disease, was lacking and point mutations of the cationic trypsinogen gene exons 2 and 3 were not detected in the long arm of the 7th chromosome. However, a hereditary etiology could not be precluded since pancreatolithiasis occurred in the siblings. There has been no recurrence of pancreatic stones during 42 months of follow-up periods, for both. ESWL, the least invasive therapy, appeared applicable and effective for pancreatolithiasis in the present cases.