Application of High Energy Shock Waves to Single Cells

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has been in clinical use since 1980 with several hundred thousand patients treated to date. Striking complications, like perirenal hematomas, are rare with a range of approximately 0.5%–1.5%. High dose applications in pigs and dogs have shown devastating effects on renal parenchyma with intrarenal hemorrhage and later fibrosis (Muschter et al. 1987). However, very little is known about shock wave effects on single cells like cellular blood components. Chaussy and coworkers (Chaussy 1982; Eisenberger et al. 1977) could show an increase of free hemoglobin after exposing canine erythrocytes to shock waves. Russo and associates (1986) found a profound influence of shock wave exposure on rodent experimental tumors, virtually extinguishing the tumor cells.