Severe sepsis following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

A patient with life-threatening sepsis following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) is described. The urosepsis was complicated by meningitis and diffuse metastatic endophthalmitis necessitating enucleation of the right eye. Retinal detachment occurred in the left eye following focal endophthalmitis and the operation yielded a poor functional result. The patient was discharged from the hospital 3 months after the ESWL therapy, free of urinary stones. The etiology, treatment and prophylaxis of this serious problem are discussed.