Psoas abscess following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Giant abdominal wall abscess dissecting into thorax as a complication of ESWL

Abscess as a complication of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a rare condition. We present the computed tomography findings of an abdominal wall abscess that occurred after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for which prophylactic antibiotics had not been given. The abscess destroyed the posterior abdominal wall muscles and dissected into the thorax. The muscles were thickened and showed enhancement. A parenchymal defect in the right kidney adjacent to a caliceal stone, with strands extending from this defective region to the abscess, was observed, and was thought to be the result of parenchymal destruction caused by the shock waves. Other parts of the kidney and psoas muscle were normal. Microbiologic examination revealed Escherichia coli.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy

This article reviews the basic anesthetic considerations for ESWL and PCNL. General principles governing the operation of lithotripters, elements of treatment that impinge on safety, and effective intraoperative anesthesia and complications that may be encountered in the perioperative period are discussed. Factors influencing blood loss and concerns arising from positioning patients prone are addressed in the sections devoted to PCNL.