Sonographic evaluation of the kidney following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

: We investigated the value of real-time sonography for determination of pelvicaliceal dilatation 24-48 h after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in 369 patients (419 treated kidneys). A varying degree of hydronephrosis was present in 121/419 (29%) kidneys. Fragmented stones post-ESWL were demonstrable in 346/419 kidneys (82%), but were missed by ultrasound in three kidneys (less than 1%). In four kidneys (1%), stone fragments which were shown to be present by ultrasound were not detectable on radiographs. In 25/419 kidneys (6%), evidence of renal trauma caused by ESWL was demonstrated by ultrasound. The most important incidental finding was a small renal cell carcinoma of the contralateral (untreated) kidney.