We have located links that may give you full text access.
Small intestinal obstruction due to a giant gallstone: a rare case report from Syria.
Annals of Medicine and Surgery 2023 October
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Gallstone ileus is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the obstruction of the small intestine due to a gallstone. It occurs as a complication of gallstone disease, where a large gallstone erodes through the gallbladder into the gastrointestinal tract, creating a fistula.
CASE PRESENTATION: A type 2 diabetic woman in her 50s presented to the emergency department complaining of abdominal pain and vomiting. She has not emptied her bowels since 3 days ago. A clinical examination showed tenderness in the abdomen associated with fecal vomiting. A computed tomography (CT) scan was performed and showed a dilated gallbladder with gas. A giant gallstone in a small intestinal loop was observed. The diagnosis was a small intestinal obstruction due to a giant gallstone and a duodenal-biliary fistula.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Gallstone ileus is an occasional complication of cholelithiasis, occurring in less than 0.5% of patients. Gallstone ileus frequently occurs in the terminal ileum and the ileocecal valve. Regarding the clinical presentation, abdominal pain is the most common symptom, followed by vomiting and constipation. CT scan is the gold standard utilized to diagnose gallstone ileus. Surgical intervention is the mainstay treatment for giant gallstone ileus, with enterolithotomy being the most commonly performed procedure.
CONCLUSION: Gallstone ileus is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening condition that can emerge in elderly patients with a history of cholelithiasis. It is crucial for clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion when encountering older patients with risk factors for cholelithiasis and intestinal obstruction.
CASE PRESENTATION: A type 2 diabetic woman in her 50s presented to the emergency department complaining of abdominal pain and vomiting. She has not emptied her bowels since 3 days ago. A clinical examination showed tenderness in the abdomen associated with fecal vomiting. A computed tomography (CT) scan was performed and showed a dilated gallbladder with gas. A giant gallstone in a small intestinal loop was observed. The diagnosis was a small intestinal obstruction due to a giant gallstone and a duodenal-biliary fistula.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Gallstone ileus is an occasional complication of cholelithiasis, occurring in less than 0.5% of patients. Gallstone ileus frequently occurs in the terminal ileum and the ileocecal valve. Regarding the clinical presentation, abdominal pain is the most common symptom, followed by vomiting and constipation. CT scan is the gold standard utilized to diagnose gallstone ileus. Surgical intervention is the mainstay treatment for giant gallstone ileus, with enterolithotomy being the most commonly performed procedure.
CONCLUSION: Gallstone ileus is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening condition that can emerge in elderly patients with a history of cholelithiasis. It is crucial for clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion when encountering older patients with risk factors for cholelithiasis and intestinal obstruction.
Full text links
Related Resources
Trending Papers
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemias: Classifications, Pathophysiology, Diagnoses and Management.International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2024 April 13
Executive Summary: State-of-the-Art Review: Unintended Consequences: Risk of Opportunistic Infections Associated with Long-term Glucocorticoid Therapies in Adults.Clinical Infectious Diseases 2024 April 11
Clinical practice guidelines on the management of status epilepticus in adults: A systematic review.Epilepsia 2024 April 13
Finerenone: From the Mechanism of Action to Clinical Use in Kidney Disease.Pharmaceuticals 2024 March 27
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app