Luís Magalhães, Ramon Nogué Bou

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

This case shows the application of bedside ultrasound to help differentiate possible complications of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is widely used to treat symptomatic nephrolithiasis.

Although rare, complications of this procedure can occur.

Point-of-Care ultrasound can help diagnose and manage these cases.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 61-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with intense pain in the right lumbar area 24 hours after being submitted to a extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Bedside ultrasound showed a hyperechoic subcapsular collection along the right kidney.

This finding, along with the clinical examination, suggested the diagnosis of subcapsular renal hematoma.

The patient was managed with conservative with clinical and ultrasound re-evaluations.

CONCLUSION

This case shows the application of bedside ultrasound to help differentiate possible complications of a procedure.

However, the sensitivity is low and other image methods can be necessary to make the diagnosis.