The use of extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy for obstructing ureteric stones.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is a non-invasive treatment for urinary tract stones. This review presents the role of SWL for treating specifically ureteric calculi. The impact of hydronephrosis on SWL success, the use of SWL as emergency treatment (eSWL) for acute ureteric colic, the influence of ureteric stent placement on SWL outcome and the use of medical expulsive therapy to augment SWL success are discussed.