Abstract
The mechanism of trauma to tissue during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is unknown, but one possible mechanism is the occurrence of cavitation bubbles during treatment. The presence of cavitation bubbles was demonstrated in a series of experiments utilizing high-speed cameras. Such bubbles generate a secondary shock wave as they collapse. Typically, this collapse is asymmetric, resulting in the emission of a liquid jet that may have significant destructive effects on tissues exposed to ESWL.
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