Optimal non-invasive treatment of 1-2.5 cm radiolucent renal stones: oral dissolution therapy, shock wave lithotripsy or combined treatment-a randomized controlled trial.

To evaluate the efficacy of oral dissolution therapy (ODT), shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), and combined SWL and ODT for medium-sized radiolucent renal stone (RLS). A randomized controlled trial for patients with medium-sized RLS, 1-2.5 cm, ≤ 500 Hounsfield unit (HU). The ODT patients were counseled for oral potassiumsodium-hydrogen citrate (Uralyt-U 150 patients completed follow-up. The SFR at 1st month and 3rd month were, respectively; 16% and 50% in the ODT group, 10% and 46% in the SWL group, and 35% and 72% patients in combined group with (p = 0.03 and 0.003, respectively. The overall SFR for all groups was 66%. Combined treatment and initial response in first month follow-up were independent factors predicting SFR. In addition, combined treatment significantly decreased the overall stone volume (p = 0.03) and the need for additional stone management procedures after 3 months (p = 0.01). Combined ODT and SWL treatment constitutes the most rapid and effective therapeutic approach for medium-sized RLS, decreasing overall stone volume as well as the number of SWL sessions needed in comparison to SWL therapy, alone.