Gall Stone Ileus: Unfamiliar Cause of Bowel Obstruction. Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction and Importance: Gallstone ileus is defined as the occlusion of the intestinal lumen due to the impaction of one or more gallstones. The optimal management of gallstone ileus is not consensual. We report a rare case of gallstone ileus with a successful surgical treatment for a 65 year-old female. Clinical Discussion: We present a case of gallstone ileus successfully treated. Gallstone ileus is a rare condition, most commonly occurring in the terminal ileum and ileocecal valve, where the intestinal lumen is narrow and more prone to obstruction. It primarily affects elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, making its clinical presentation often nonspecific. Computed tomography plays a crucial role in diagnosis, offering high specificity in identifying the classic Rigler’s triad and confirming the presence of an obstructing gallstone. The optimal surgical approach remains debated, with no universally accepted standard. In our case, enterotomy was necessary for the extraction of a biliary stone, ensuring a definitive resolution of the obstruction. Conclusion: Gallstone ileus is a rare but serious condition, predominantly affecting elderly patients with comorbidities. Its clinical presentation is often nonspecific, making computed tomography imaging essential for accurate diagnosis. The surgical management remains non-consensual, requiring an individualized approach based on the patient’s condition and intraoperative findings.