Successful piezoelectric lithotripsy of a common bile duct stone.

The "problematic common bile duct stone", which cannot be extracted primarily by routine endoscopic methods is one of the indications for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). We report on the successful piezoelectric lithotripsy of a large common bile duct stone in an 86-year-old patient. Focusing was achieved by ultrasound without problems; the resulting fragments were extracted endoscopically without difficulty. No side effects were observed in this painless piezoelectric lithotripsy.