The usefulness of stone density and patient stoutness in predicting extracorporeal shock wave efficiency: Results in a North African ethnic group.

Introduction: We determine the role of stone density and skin-to-stone distance (SSD) by non-contrast computed tomography of the kidneys, ureters and bladder (CT-KUB) in predicting the success of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

Methods: We evaluated 89 patients who received ESWL for renal and upper ureteric calculi measuring 5 to 20 mm, over a 12-month period. The mean stone density in Hounsfield units (HU) and mean SSD in mm was determined on pre-treatment CT-KUB at the CT workstation.