Gallstone Ileus as an Occult Cause of Small Bowel Obstruction and Subsequent Large Bowel Obstruction: A Report of a Rare Case
2024

Gallstone Ileus: A Rare Cause of Bowel Obstruction

Sample size: 1 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Muacevic Alexander, Adler John R, Luckman Matthew, Ha Rebecca, Vu Alexander H, Han Jane, Golden Adam, Victory Jesse

Primary Institution: Georgetown University School of Medicine

Conclusion

The delayed diagnosis of gallstone ileus led to severe complications and ultimately the patient's death.

Supporting Evidence

  • The patient presented with nonspecific symptoms that delayed diagnosis.
  • Initial imaging misidentified the gallstone as a stool ball.
  • The case highlights the importance of recognizing Rigler's triad in imaging.

Takeaway

A 77-year-old woman had a gallstone that caused her intestines to get blocked, and because doctors didn't find it in time, she got very sick and died.

Methodology

Case report detailing the patient's symptoms, imaging, surgical interventions, and outcomes.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in diagnosis due to initial misinterpretation of imaging results.

Limitations

The case report is based on a single patient, limiting generalizability.

Participant Demographics

77-year-old female with a history of chronic medical conditions.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.7759/cureus.74912

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