This article aims to review gallstone ileus in the literature addressing the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, radiological findings and treatment options of the condition. A literature search was done on gallstone ileus, for the period 1966-2005. Gallstone ileus is a disease of the elderly, causing up to one fourth of non-strangulation intestinal obstructions in patients older than 65 years of age. It is often missed or diagnosed late. The presentation is that of intestinal obstruction preceded by biliary complaints. Radiological features on plain X-rays include features of intestinal obstruction and pneumobilia, and an aberrant gallstone. Treatment depends on the site of the impacted stone, but surgery is needed in many cases. Gallstone ileus is a rare complication of a common condition. Because it primarily affects the elderly, mortality and morbidity are high, although they have improved over the years. Early diagnosis and treatment improve the outcome.
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BMJ Case Rep
January 2025
Department of General Surgery, Ealing Hospital, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.
We present a case of a woman in her 70s who arrived in the emergency department with signs of small-bowel obstruction. CT scanning revealed acute cholecystitis with a cholecystoduodenal fistula, pneumobilia and small-bowel obstruction possibly secondary to gallstone ileus although no radio-opaque gallstones were seen. The patient underwent an emergency operation and intra-operative findings revealed mechanical small-bowel obstruction of the proximal jejunum where a 4×2 x 3 cm gallstone was impacted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Surgery, Hospital General Tacuba, Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE), Mexico City, MEX.
Bouveret's syndrome is a rare disorder that causes upper gastrointestinal obstruction, typically in elderly patients with a history of chronic cholelithiasis. We present an unusual case of a 58-year-old woman with untreated vesicular lithiasis who developed Bouveret's syndrome. She presented with severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
General Surgery, New York University (NYU) Langone Health, New York City, USA.
Gallstone ileus, a rare cause of mechanical bowel obstruction, occurs due to the formation of a cholecystenteric fistula allowing gallstones to migrate into the gastrointestinal tract. The condition occurs mostly in elderly patients, particularly women, and carries a significant mortality risk due to delayed diagnosis. This case report discusses a 77-year-old female patient with a history of chronic medical conditions, who self-presented with periumbilical pain, nausea, and reduced bowel movements.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRev Esp Geriatr Gerontol
December 2024
Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario La Paz - IdiPAZ (Hospital Universitario La Paz - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Madrid, España.
Cureus
November 2024
Department of General Surgery, Memorial Healthcare System, Hollywood, USA.
Gallstone ileus is the mechanical obstruction of the bowel due to gallstone impaction. It forms when a fistula is created between the gallbladder and the gastrointestinal tract, which can result in small bowel obstruction. Its surgical management ranges from enterolithotomy, cholecystectomy, and fistula closure performed together (one-stage) or performed separately (two-stage), while some patients undergo simple enterolithotomy.
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