Purpose: We determined the role of mannitol in preventing or alleviating renal injury during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL, Dornier Medical Systems, Inc., Marietta, Georgia).
Materials and methods: Patients undergoing ESWL were randomized to receive mannitol or control. Change in the levels of urinary enzymes, beta 2-microglobulin and microalbumin were compared in the groups before and after the procedure.
Results: Mannitol treated patients had a statistically significant decrease in beta 2-microglobulin excretion after ESWL compared with the control group.
Conclusions: Mannitol may serve a protective function by decreasing the amount of renal injury caused by ESWL for renal calculous disease.