Post-ESWL fragments as core of new kidney stones

The use of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) to treat kidney stones gives excellent fragmentation results. However, the retention of post-ESWL fragments within the kidney remains a serious health problem. A study carried out on calcium stone patients showed that only 32% of these were found to be stone free 12 months after ESWL [ 1]. Therefore, the persistence and the growth of fragments seem to be common after ESWL