Sound Waves Used to Break Down Kidney Stones: First Human Study

Sound waves from a newly developed technique called "burst wave lithotripsy (BWL)" were found by researchers to have the potential to disintegrate or destroy kidney stones inside the body.

The experiment was conducted as part of a first study conducted on human patients.

Potential New Kidney Stone Treatment

Kidneys have the function to process, remove toxins, waste, and excess fluid from the body. These derivatives can from the food or drink that we consume.

In addition, kidneys are also capable of removing acid produced by cells.

However, kidney stones hamper the function and health of the kidneys.

In a new study published in The Journal of Urology on Monday, March 24, scientists discovered that the BWL technique can disperse the accumulation of kidney stones by using 19 human patients as subjects of the research.

The study yielded that ultrasound pulses were able to collapse this accumulation.

Following the successful experiment, the research aimed to achieve a new approach to avoiding the burden and long process of high-cost kidney stone treatment in the healthcare system.

What is a Kidney Stone?

A kidney stone pertains to the formation of pebble-like pieces of crystals consisting of hard deposits of minerals and salts in the kidney.

These deposits can cause severe pain and can last approximately for weeks or even months.

Scientifically called renal calculus or nephrolith, healthcare professionals in the medical industry also call some conditions of kidney stones nephrolithiasis, urolithiasis, and urinary stones, as per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

The NIDDK stated that these crystals can vary in size, ranging from a small grain of sand to a size of a golf ball.

The US health organization added that while small kidney stones are non-lethal and cause little to no pain, a large kidney stone may get stuck inside the urinary tract, causing complications.

Complications and Symptoms

Kidney stones can affect either only one or both kidneys when high levels of minerals are integrated into one's urine through the urinary tract.

Although curable, they can lead to serious health hazards, including hematuria, loss of kidney function, and the infamous urinary tract infection (UTI).

Furthermore, the blockage of the urinary tract can result in the two most common symptoms of kidney stones: internal bleeding and severe pain.

This is evident as the internal passageway can also expand or be damaged if the urine flow is impeded.

Most UTI patients experience these symptoms, said NIDDK.

Types of Kidney Stones

The NIDDK provided the following types of kidney stones:

• Calcium stones - the most common type of kidney stone wherein the accumulation of minerals are mainly derived from calcium found in food
• Uric acid stones - this type means that the urine contains large amounts of uric acid, which can come from eating meat, fish, and shellfish
• Struvite stones - the abrupt formation of these crystals come after contracting UTI
• Cystine stones - the hereditary health disorder called cystinuria causes the formation of cystine stones, which makes the amino acid leak through the kidneys and flow into the urine

Kidney Stones Statistics

In a separate study published in the journal Clinical Investigation, researchers described that kidney stone disease is a common health disorder in the Western world.

Among 5,945 patients: 81.2% are symptomatic, while the rest show abdominal pain, flank pain, hematuria, and UTI.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 500,000 people each year are sent to emergency rooms due to health problems related to kidney stones.

In the United States alone, kidney stones cases have increased from 3.8% in the 1970s to 8.8% in the 2000s.