Seventeen serum markers (including 9 enzyme activities) for eventual tissue damage were studied after ESWL in 40 patients with unilateral kidney calculosis. No changes were established in the 8 non-enzymic parameters and the activities of amylase, lipase, AST (GOT), ALT (GPT) and CK-MB. A statistically significant increase was found in LDH, alpha-HBDH, CK (twice) and glutamate dehydrogenase (3 times). The slight elevation of LDH and alpha-HBDH could be due to haemolysis caused by the shock waves. Increased activity of CK suggested myolysis and that of GlDH a hepatocellular damage.