Patient's question:
A few days ago, I was diagnosed with kidney stones and have been receiving intravenous fluids. Now, the stones are at the end of the ureter, with dimensions 0.90.5.Doctor's answer:
Hello: Ureteral calculi can be easily diagnosed through clinical ultrasound examination. Generally, kidney stones that fall into the ureter can be diagnosed as ureteral calculi. They often cause ureteral obstruction, leading to renal pelvis dilation and hydronephrosis. If the ureteral calculi causing obstruction are not removed promptly, it may result in kidney damage and kidney failure. In the early stages, it often presents with lower back pain and discomfort, severe renal colic, causing great suffering to the patient. Lower and middle ureteral calculi can reflect pain in the penis, testicles, and perineum. Accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. It is recommended to use extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) as the first choice for stone removal treatment. Early treatment is crucial for better stone removal results.First, let me explain that extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive, advanced stone removal treatment device and technology. Its principle is entirely different from that of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. The advantage of ESWL lies in its lack of organ damage, thorough stone removal, minimal patient discomfort, and easy acceptance. In contrast, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy can cause organ damage and is more painful.
The ESWL technology employs high-frequency superconducting fluid dynamic shock wave dynamics in a three-dimensional integrated stone removal system, assisted by large digital ultrasound for precise positioning. It features accurate positioning, rapid stone removal, effective treatment for bile duct stones and ureteral stones, allowing stones to be removed as they are passed. It is particularly effective in completely removing from intrahepatic bile ducts. The most prominent feature of this equipment is its user-friendly operability, thorough stone removal for various types of stones, wide applicability, minimal side effects on the human body, painless stone removal during the process, no need for hospitalization, and low treatment costs, making it easily acceptable to patients. It is a reliable, effective, simple, and practical treatment device with unique equipment and technical advantages. Therefore, it is currently the best choice for treating various types of stones.
ESWL is most suitable for kidney stones and ureteral stones under 10mm. Generally, after several treatments, stones can be completely removed. For larger stones, the principle of first crushing and then removing the stones can be adopted to achieve complementary advantages. However, for ureteral stones, it is necessary to wait for 3-5 days after the local ureter becomes congested and edematous before performing stone removal treatment. Generally, stones are relatively easy to remove. Whether it is small ureteral stones or larger multiple stones, due to the widespread use of ultrasound, the diagnosis of ureteral stones is timely and easy. Small stones entering the ureter can usually be detected early, providing the best conditions and timing for ESWL treatment. For stones that have been lodged in the ureter for a long time, it is difficult to remove them and may require surgical or ureteroscopic lithotripsy. At the same time, it is more important to provide patients with the latest measures for early stone removal to avoid excessive treatment methods that cause significant organ damage, poor efficacy, pain, and high costs.
The indications and scope of treatment for ESWL are as follows:
(1) For various kidney stones and ureteral stones less than 1.2 cm in diameter, ESWL should be the first choice for stone removal treatment. This is because it causes no kidney damage, ensures thorough stone removal, is safe and painless, and avoids the side effects of shock wave lithotripsy. If the stone diameter exceeds 1.2 cm, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy should be used first to crush the stones, followed by ESWL for thorough stone removal, achieving complementary advantages.
(2) This equipment is particularly suitable for acute ureteral stones and the hydronephrosis, renal pelvis dilation, ureteral hydronephrosis, ureteral dilation, and renal colic they cause. It can quickly remove ureteral stones, alleviate pain immediately, and rapidly relieve symptoms, making it the preferred treatment for ureteral stones.
(3) For patients with multiple kidney stones on the same side combined with ureteral stones, the ureteral stones should be removed first, followed by the removal of multiple kidney stones, to prevent the formation of a "stone street" in the ureter.
(4) For large kidney stones that remain in the lower pole of the kidney, renal pelvis, or calyces after ESWL, these small stones are the best candidates for thorough stone removal using ESWL. This is because the handheld high-frequency superconducting shock wave probe can directly touch the stones in the lower pole of the kidney, move them into the renal pelvis and ureter, and remove them from the body.
(5) For the stone removal treatment of the above types of stone diseases, if complications such as urinary tract infections lead to pyelonephritis, ureteritis, cystitis, prostatitis, or urethritis, the stones may be hindered by inflamed and swollen mucosa. Therefore, antibiotic anti-inflammatory treatment must be administered first, and ESWL treatment can only be performed after the inflammation subsides.
(6) Generally, 1-3 ESWL treatments are sufficient to completely remove stones, with a duration of 5-7 days. Patients in good physical condition can undergo continuous stone removal treatments, while those with poorer physical health can have treatments once every other day. If patients have poor urinary function or infections, the hospitalization period may be longer. According to clinical observations, Professor Chen Bangjing believes that ESWL is currently the leading new technology for treating stones both domestically and internationally. It is the preferred method for treating kidney stones, ureteral stones (which are usually removed within two hours), gallstones, and extrahepatic bile duct stones. Its completely thorough stone removal effect, lack of any organ side effects, and low cost have brought benefits to a vast number of patients. For stones beyond the scope of ESWL, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy should be performed first, followed by stone removal. For large kidney cast stones and gallstones, surgical stone removal is recommended if discovered.
If you need treatment, please contact me or communicate online. Thank you for your cooperation.