Overall, the detection rates in this study are lower than previously reported and not influenced by increasing experience. Detection rates are significantly higher when reading in SingleView 15 and QuadView 20 compared with reading in SingleView 25. Increasing viewing speed from QuadView 20 to QuadView 30 appears to have no significant effect on detection. Quality control measures to compare and improve lesion detection rates need further study.

No abstract

In this study we attempt to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in situ versus retrograde stone manipulation before ESWL (ESWL+push back) in patients with proximal ureteral stones with regard to tissue damage and inflammatory processes. Several studies have revealed that C-reactive protein (CRP) is a useful marker for tissue damage and inflammation. Thirty patients following primary ESWL in situ, with residual calculi, were randomized to retreatment with ESWL in situ or ESWL+push back. Four of 15 patients in the ESWL+push back group demonstrated an increase in CRP levels after treatment compared with no significant increase in 15 patients in the ESWL in situ group. We conclude that ESWL+push back did not cause significantly higher CRP values than ESWL in situ. ESWL+push back may cause irritation, inflammation, and slight tissue damage in some cases; however, these effects are probably minor and would not contraindicate its use. The implications of this study are that serum CRP levels may be utilized to monitor tissue injury in patients undergoing auxiliary procedures.