A recent study has found that using a handheld ultrasound device to nudge kidney-stone fragments can significantly reduce the likelihood of recurrence. About 50% of patients who undergo surgical removal of kidney stones still have small fragments remaining, and approximately 25% of those patients require additional surgery within five years due to the growth of these fragments. Researchers at UW Medicine discovered that patients who received the ultrasound treatment experienced a 70% lower risk of recurrence. Published in the Journal of Urology, the study involved 82 participants, primarily from UW Medicine and the VA Puget Sound health systems, all of whom had persistent stone fragments for months and were free of stones in their ureters. In the trial, 40 patients received ultrasound treatment aimed at moving the fragments closer to the ureter for natural expulsion, while 42 control-group members did not receive treatment. The procedure, performed in a clinic office setting, involved generating ultrasonic pulses through the skin to reposition the fragments. Dr. Jonathan Harper, the study’s senior author, noted that this noninvasive technique is part of a broader technology called burst wave lithotripsy, which has also been used to break larger stones into smaller pieces. Harper expressed optimism that this ultrasound technology could revolutionize kidney stone treatment, making it as routine as dental cleanings. A company called SonoMotion is working to commercialize this innovative approach, aiming to simplify and enhance the management of kidney stones for patients in the future.
Ultrasound Helps Reduce Kidney Stone Recurrence
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