Gallstone ileus: Rare life-threatening disease

Abstract

Gallstone ileus is an uncommon complication of calculus cholecystitis and often presents as a life-threatening emergency. It is more common in the elderly and especially among females. It is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction and accounting for 1%–4% of cases. Patients present with symptoms of intestinal obstruction such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and abdominal distension. Diagnosis can be confirmed by computerized tomography (CT) of the abdomen. Enterolithotomy is the most accepted treatment of choice. We report a case of 55-year-old female who presented with epigastric pain for 8 days duration with multiple episodes of vomiting and progressive abdominal distension. Classical Rigler's triad was observed. CT of the abdomen was suggestive of a gallstone obstructing the small bowel. Enterolithotomy with primary bowel repair was done. A large gallstone of size 5 cm × 3 cm was extracted from the terminal ileum. Postoperative period was uneventful. This case is being reported to highlight the rare incidence of gallstone ileus and its life-threatening surgical emergency, particularly large gallstone causing obstruction, and impending bowel gangrene.