Related Experiment Videos
Stone fragility in shock wave lithotripsy can be predicted in vitro
M Demirbaş1, A Ergen, H Ozkardeş
1Department of Urology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
International Urology and Nephrology
|February 6, 1999
Summary
Stone weight is the most crucial factor predicting stone fragility in vitro. This finding, based on mineral content and size, helps estimate shock wave requirements for fragmentation.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Kidney stone characteristics influence treatment efficacy.
- Understanding stone fragility is key for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the impact of stone size, chemical structure, radiologic appearance, weight, and mineral density on in vitro stone fragility.
- To establish predictive models for stone fragmentation.
Main Methods:
- 216 surgically removed stones were analyzed for size, chemical structure (X-ray crystallography), radiologic appearance, mineral content, density (dual photon absorptiometry), and weight.
- Stone fragility was assessed by the number of shock waves required for complete fragmentation in a phantom model using Dornier lithotripsy.
Main Results:
- Stone weight correlated positively with stone size and mineral density varied with chemical composition.
- Radiologic appearance did not predict chemical content.
- Stone weight was the most significant predictor of shock wave count for fragmentation (p=0.000).
- Equations incorporating stone weight, size, and mineral density accurately estimated fragmentation shock wave requirements (p=0.000).
Conclusions:
- In vitro, stone weight, influenced by mineral content, is the primary predictor of stone fragility.
- Predictive equations for fragmentation shock wave needs were developed and validated in vitro.
- Further research is needed to assess in vivo applicability.