Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
A Treatment Protocol for Achilles Tendinopathy with Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
Published on: August 2, 2024
Are there long-term effects of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy in paediatric patients?
Ahmed R El-Nahas1, Bassam A Awad, Ahmed M El-Assmy
1Urology Department, Urology and Nephrology Centre, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. ar_el_nahas@yahoo.com
Insights
Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is safe for children with kidney stones, showing no long-term effects on renal growth, blood pressure, or blood sugar. This study confirms SWL
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Nephrology
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is a common treatment for pediatric renal stones.
- Short-term safety and efficacy of SWL in children are established.
- Long-term outcomes regarding renal growth and metabolic health require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effects of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) on renal growth and metabolic parameters in pediatric patients.
- To assess the safety of SWL monotherapy for treating renal stones in children over an extended follow-up period.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 70 pediatric patients treated with SWL monotherapy between 1990 and 2009.
- Inclusion criteria required a minimum follow-up of 2 years.
- Long-term assessment included blood pressure, blood sugar, urinalysis, and renal ultrasonography for renal length and stone detection.
Main Results:
- No patients developed hypertension or diabetes mellitus during a mean follow-up of 5.2 years.
- Renal growth was unaffected in most patients; only one treated kidney showed reduced length, attributed to ureteral obstruction.
- The study included 70 children (63% boys) with a mean age of 6.5 years at SWL, followed up to a mean age of 11.7 years.
Conclusions:
- Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is a safe and effective treatment for pediatric renal stones.
- Long-term follow-up demonstrates no adverse effects on renal growth, hypertension, or diabetes development.
- SWL can be considered a reliable therapeutic option for pediatric kidney stone management.
Unlabelled:
WHAT'S KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? AND WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD?: Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy is effective for the treatment of paediatric renal stones with favourable short-term safety. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for treatment of paediatric renal stones is also safe for the kidney and the child on long-term follow-up.
Objective:
To evaluate the long-term effects of extracoporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) for treatment of renal stones in paediatric patients.
Patients And Methods:
A database of paediatric patients who underwent SWL monotherapy for treatment of renal stones from September 1990 through to January 2009 was compiled. This study included only patients with follow-up for more than 2 years. The long-term effects of SWL were evaluated at the last follow-up with measurement of patients' arterial blood pressure, estimation of random blood sugar and urine analysis. The results of diastolic blood pressure were plotted against a standardized age reference curve. The treated kidney was examined by ultrasonography for measurement of renal length and detection of stones. The measured renal lengths were plotted against age-calculated normal renal lengths in healthy individuals.
Results:
The study included 70 patients (44 boys (63%) and 26 girls) with mean age at the time of SWL 6.5 ± 3.6 years (range 1-14). The mean follow-up period was 5.2 ± 3.6 years (range 2.1-17.5). The mean age at last follow-up was 11.7 ± 5.3 years (range 4.4-27.5). No patients developed hypertension or diabetes. Only one treated kidney was smaller than one standard deviation of the calculated length. The cause of this was obstruction by a stone in the pelvic ureter 3 years after SWL.
Conclusion:
The long-term follow-up after SWL for treatment of renal stones in paediatric patients showed no effect on renal growth and no development of hypertension or diabetes.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion