Urolithiasis with congenital upper tract anomalies: a 4-year experience with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Calculus formation is a natural sequela of anatomic anomalies of the upper urinary tract, and endourologic and open surgery can be difficult in these cases. Since July 1988, 81 patients with urolithiasis and renoureteral anomalies were treated with SWL on the Siemens Lithostar. Retrograde ureteropyelography and double-J stenting was done in 75 and 73 patients, respectively. All patients had satisfactory fragmentation, although 48% needed more than one session. The 6-month stone-free rate was 90%. Follow-up of 3 to 44 months in 32 patients revealed urinary infection in 1 patient and asymptomatic residual calculi in 3. SWL may be considered safe and successful for noninvasive management of calculus disease in patients with upper tract anomalies.