Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL)-induced erosions in upper gastrointestinal tract. Prospective study in 40 patients.

In a prospective study in 40 patients receiving ESWL treatment, gastric and/or duodenal erosions occurred in 32 patients (80%); in 24 (60%) the erosions were in the proximal part of the stomach. There was no direct relation between the patients' weight and the development of erosions. In some patients more erosions developed in relation to the number of shock waves received and the intensity of energy given. In most patients early onset of hematuria indicated development of more erosions. To our knowledge this is the first report in the literature on ESWL-induced erosions in the upper gastrointestinal tract.