Complications of renal extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy reviewed.

Renal extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a noninvasive and effective method for the treatment of a variety of urinary tract calculi with significantly lower morbidity than both surgical procedures for stone removal (pyelolithotomy/ureterolithotomy) and percutaneous nephrostolithotomy. Though significant, severe complications are rare, ESWL therapy can result in a wide spectrum of tissue injury. This article serves to review the currently known complications of ESWL, which radiologists may encounter, providing an understanding of the potential effects of shock waves on body organs and the resultant functional and morphologic changes that may result.