Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy appears to be successful for management of isolated caliceal stone disease. Treatment efficacy was not significantly different among stones localized in lower, middle and upper poles. We recommend it as the primary treatment of choice for stones less than 2.0 cm.2 in all caliceal locations. Treatment should be individualized for management of caliceal stones greater than 2.0 cm.2 until large prospective randomized trials comparing shock wave lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy are available.
Our results suggest that caliceal pelvic anatomy in pediatric lower pole stones has no significant impact on stone clearance after SWL. There was a highly significant relation between retreatment rates and stone burden, which should be considered for determining the treatment modality.
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