Comparison of 2 different fluoroscopy activation intervals in shock wave lithotripsy: a prospective randomized study

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Imaging
• Nephrology

Background:

• Fluoroscopic guidance is essential during shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for probe adjustment due to patient and stone movement.
• Optimal fluoroscopy frequency in SWL remains undefined, leading to variability in radiation exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal fluoroscopy activation interval in fluoroscopy-guided SWL.
• To evaluate the impact of different fluoroscopy intervals on procedure time and stone-free status.

Main Methods:

• A prospective randomized study involving 158 patients with renal pelvic stones treated with SWL.
• Patients were assigned to two groups: fluoroscopic control every 250 shocks (Group 1) or every 500 shocks (Group 2).
• Key parameters analyzed included fluoroscopy duration and stone-free status.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in demographic data or stone characteristics were found between the groups.
• Fluoroscopy time was significantly longer in Group 1 (217.9 s) compared to Group 2 (117 s) (P <0.001).
• Stone-free status was comparable between the groups (64.5% in Group 1 vs. 67% in Group 2, P = 0.87).

Conclusions:

• Decreasing the fluoroscopy activation interval in SWL does not compromise stone-free outcomes.
• Optimizing fluoroscopy frequency effectively reduces radiation exposure for patients undergoing SWL.