In some patients a 4mm kidney stone may not need lithotripsy, however, for some patients this may be too large to pass without assistance.
lithotripsyLithotripsyLiThOtRiPsYextracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) means destruction of a kidney stone or gallstone by ultrasonic waves traveling through water.lithotripsy
A 9 mm kidney stone is considered a large kidney stone. It may be difficult to pass naturally and may require medical intervention such as lithotripsy or surgical removal.
Lithotripsy uses the technique of focused shock waves to fragment a stone in the kidney or the ureter. The patient is placed in a tub of water or in contact with a water-filled cushion, and a shock wave is created which is focused on the stone.
Lithotripsy is a general term meaning stone crushing, and can be applied to the destruction of both kidney stones and gallstones.
I had shock waves to crush a large calcium stone growing in my ureter. It didn't work, but I guess it would be according to the size, and where it is located, and what type of stone it is. Check with your urologist. All I do know is they can be extreemly painfull.
The medical term for shattering a stone using a laser is "lithotripsy." This procedure is commonly used to break up kidney stones or gallstones into smaller pieces that can pass more easily through the urinary or biliary system.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive procedure that uses high frequency sound waves directed at the kidney stone to break it into smaller fragments, making it easier to pass through the urinary system. This procedure is often used to treat kidney stones that are too large to pass on their own.
A machine called a lithotripter is used to crush the kidney stone. The procedure is performed by a urologist on an outpatient basis and anesthesia is used. In shock wave lithotripsy, the person lies on a table or, less commonly, in a tub of water above the lithotripter. The lithotripter generates shock waves that pass through the person’s body to break the kidney stone into smaller pieces to pass more readily through the urinary tract.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is used to break up kidney stones into smaller pieces so they can pass more easily through the urinary tract and be excreted from the body. It is a non-invasive procedure that is commonly used to treat kidney stones without the need for surgery.
The outside.
a piece of metal or stainless steel that is put in the tube (in this case, the ureter) to keep it open to help pass the stone. But a stone that large will no doubt not be able to pass thru the ureter. Usually, lithotripsy to bust it up then the stent to pass it later. ouch.