Pathological-Anatomical Renal Alterations Following Application of Extracorporeally Produced Piezoelectric Shock Waves (Wolf-Piezolith): A Laboratory Animal Research Study

At the moment several techniques for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) are available (Chaussy 1980; Reichenberger and Naves 1986; Riedlinger et al. 1986). According to preliminary clinical studies, the treatment with the Piezolith 2200 (Wolf, Knittlingen) causes fewer side effects than other techniques (Ziegler et al. 1986). Animal studies dealing with the pathologic effects on renal tissue, caused by a higher number of piezoelectric shock waves (EPL), have not been published yet.