extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy


ex·tra·cor·po·re·al shock wave lith·o·trip·sy (ESWL),

(lith'ō-trip'sē), breaking up of renal or ureteral calculi by focused sound energy.

ex·tra·cor·po·re·al shock wave lith·o·trip·sy

(ESWL) (eks'tră-kōr-pōr'ē-ăl shok wāv lith'ō-trip'sē) Breaking up of renal or ureteral calculi by focused ultrasound energy.

extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

, extracorporeal shock wave therapy,

ESWL

The fragmentation of kidney stones with an extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor. In addition to breaking up gallstones and kidney stones, shock wave lithotripsy may be used in some orthopedic applications (orthotripsy), e.g., in the treatment of nonunion of fractures and bone spurs.

CAUTION!

ESWL for gallstones or kidney stones is contraindicated during pregnancy.

ESWL (Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy)

The use of focused shock waves, generated outside the body, to fragment kidney stones.Mentioned in: Lithotripsy