Urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

A clinical study was designed to investigate whether extracorporeal shock waves altered the urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans and if they have a diagnostic value in determining the extent of the renal tissue damage. A total of 25 consecutive patients were treated for renal stone by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) with Siemens Lithostar and were studied 24 hours before, then 24 hours and 30 days after ESWL. Urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans was significantly increased after 24 hours but the difference from the pre-ESWL period was insignificant 30 days later. These results showed that extracorporeal shock waves induce an acute increase in the excretion of glycosaminoglycans, but this elevation is transient and probably reflects negligible ultrastructural damage to the glycosaminoglycan-containing renal and extrarenal structures.