ESWL
Medical abbreviation · Nephrology & Urology
| Stands for | Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
ESWL stands for Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, a nephrology & urology abbreviation.
Noninvasive kidney stone treatment that focuses shock waves generated outside the body onto a stone to break it into fragments small enough to pass in the urine. It works best for kidney and upper ureteral stones under about 2 cm.
Example: 9 mm left renal pelvis stone; ESWL under sedation with 3,000 shocks.
Usage notes
First used clinically in Munich in 1980 with a Dornier lithotripter, ESWL transformed stone treatment. Hard stones, such as calcium oxalate monohydrate and cystine, and stones in the lower kidney pole respond less well. Often shortened to SWL. Blood thinners must be stopped because of the risk of kidney bleeding.
Related abbreviations
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- DKD – Diabetic kidney disease
- DRE – Digital rectal exam
- ED – Erectile dysfunction
- ESKD – End-stage kidney disease
- ESRD – End-stage renal disease
- FENa – Fractional excretion of sodium
- FSGS – Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
- GN – Glomerulonephritis
- GU – Genitourinary
- HD – Hemodialysis
- HoLEP – Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.