Staghorn calculi.

Struvite staghorn calculi are infected stones that represent a real threat to the kidney and to the patient and are an indication for active treatment in most individuals. SWL, PL, combined PL and SWI, and open surgery are all viable treatment options for these patients. Most patients should be treated with combined therapy, reserving SWL for small-volume stones and open surgery for difficult situations that do not lend themselves to combined treatment.