which term means destruction of a kidney stone by ultrasonic waves traveling through water
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a technique that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to break up simple stones in the kidney or upper urinary tract. (Extracorporeal means outside the body, and lithotripsy means stone-breaking.) ESWL is not used for cystine stones.