BACKGROUND Ureteric stones greater than 6mm require intervention. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) with intra-corporeal lithotripsy (ICL) are two least invasive therapies. Both show acceptable stone clearance. What should be the first line of treatment in distal ureteric stones? We conducted this study to compare the efficacy-of ESWL and pneumatic ICL in order ...

OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy with Modularis Vario Siemens in the management of patients with renal and ureteral stones. METHODS Between 2007 and 2009, 225 outpatients were treated with Siemens Modularis Vario lithotripter at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. Stone size, location, total number of shockwaves, stone-free rate, complication...

A 38-year-old man with chronic pancreatitis caused by heavy alcohol consumption presented with recurrent abdominal pain due to underlying pancreatic duct calculi and stricture of the main pancreatic duct (▶Fig. 1 a). Endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed and a plastic pancreatic stent was inserted, which relieved the pain. Attempts at stricture dilation with a dilation balloo...

PURPOSE Although shock wave lithotripsy has long been considered the gold standard for treatment of kidney stones in children, ureteroscopy has become increasingly common. The factors determining procedure choice at individual centers are unclear. We sought to identify patient and hospital factors associated with the choice between shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHOD...

BACKGROUND Laser lithotripsy of vesical calculi in tetraplegic subjects with long-term urinary catheters is fraught with complications because of bladder wall oedema, infection, fragile urothelium, bladder spasms, and autonomic dysreflexia. Severe haematuria should be anticipated; failure to institute measures to minimise bleeding and prevent clot retention can be catastrophic. We present an il...

OBJECTIVE To report our experience with the endourological treatment of renal matrix stones, an infrequent form of urinary calculi whose diagnosis and treatment are often difficult. METHODS From 1990 to 2010 we treated 9 female patients with matrix calculi using the endourological approach; 4 presented with renal colics, 3 with symptomatic urinary tract infection and 2 with asymptomatic bacte...

Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) is a treatment of choice for stone extraction and is now most frequently used. The study was to compare the efficacy of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilatation (EPLBD) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for common bile duct stone removal. Trials comparing the effects between EPLBD and EST treatment were searched according to the study protocol. Overall sto...

Background. In some cases, the ureteral stone is simultaneously stabilized by a stone basket when endourologic lithotripsy is performed. This stabilization can be either on purpose or by accident. By accident means that an impaction in the ureter occurs by an extraction of a stone with a basket. A stabilization on purpose means to avoid a retropulsion of the stone into the kidney during lithotr...

Between January 1988 and December 1990, 283 patients with symptomatic gall stones were referred for non-operative treatment. After ultrasound scanning including a functional assessment, 220 (78%) patients were found to be suitable for percutaneous cholecystolithotomy. Of these, 113 underwent the procedure including 10 in whom extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy or methyl tert-butyl ether ther...