[Colonic gallstone ileus: A rare cause of intestinal obstruction]

Like a Rolling (Gall)Stone: Optimal Treatment of Gallstone Obstruction of the Sigmoid Colon

BACKGROUND

Sigmoid gallstone ileus is a rare complication of cholelithiasis, accounting for 1-4% of all cases of large-bowel obstruction. This is a highly morbid, and often fatal, condition due to its challenging diagnosis and late presentation.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of a 90-year-old woman admitted to Emergency Department with abdominal pain and large-bowel obstruction due to a 6 cm gallstone lodged in a diverticulum of the proximal sigmoid colon as a consequence of a cholecysto-colonic fistula. Colonoscopy was deferred due to gallstone size carrying a high possibility of failure. The patient underwent urgent laparotomy with gallstone removal via colotomy. The cholecystocolonic fistula was left untreated. The post-operative course was uneventful; the patient was discharged on 6th post-operative day.

CONCLUSION

A multidisciplinary discussion between endoscopists and surgeons is often needed to choose the best therapeutic option, especially in high-risk patients.

Colonic Gallstone Ileus: Treatment Challenges

Intestinal obstruction at the level of the colon is rarely caused by a gallstone. Colonic gallstone is more frequently observed in elderly patients and is associated with high mortality due to treatment challenges. Management with less invasive approaches, including mechanical lithotripsy and endoscopy has been evolving. However, the outcomes are variable, and surgery remains the main cornerstone of treatment. We present a case of an 89-year-old male with gallstone ileus at the level of the sigmoid colon in whom treatment with endoscopy was not successful. We performed an extensive review of the literature to understand the most common presentation, diagnostic modalities, and treatment approach of the sporadic reported cases of colonic gallstone ileus.

A Rare Case of Gallstone Ileus: Bouveret Syndrome Presenting with Concurrent Gallstone Coleus

Background

Bouveret syndrome and gallstone coleus are two rare subsets of gallstone ileus. Bouveret syndrome involves a gastric outlet obstruction, whereas gallstone coleus involves an obstruction of the large intestine. Both of the conditions are caused by gallstones, which migrated from the gallbladder via the fistulae. Due to its rarity, only few cases were reported for each condition. The current case describes an even rarer case of Bouveret syndrome and gallstone coleus presenting together. The case report will hopefully provide better understanding of the disease presentation and hence, lead to early diagnosis and management.

Case

Ms. B is an 86-year-old woman of Italian background who presented to our emergency department with worsening symptoms of bowel obstruction. Her past clinical history included Kaposi sarcoma, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and vitamin D deficiency with surgical history including caesarean section and tonsillectomy. On her imaging, she had two large gallstones, one in the proximal duodenum and one in the distal colon. It also showed gastric dilatation and gas in the gall bladder. She was subsequently diagnosed with Bouveret syndrome with concurrent gallstone coleus. The laparotomy revealed two points of gallstone obstruction at the first part of the duodenum and at the distal sigmoid colon. Her postoperative recovery was uncomplicated. She was discharged to the care of her family and followed up in the general surgery clinic.

Conclusion

The current case report describes a unique presentation of Bouveret syndrome where an additional gallstone was found simultaneously in the sigmoid colon causing the obstruction. By introducing this novel case of having two different subsets of gallstone ileus simultaneously, there will be a better understanding of both conditions and hopefully improve our scope of practice.

Cecal Perforation by a Large Gallstone: An Unusual Diagnosis

Cholecystocolic fistulas are uncommon, with rare cases of colonic obstruction described in the literature and even rarer cases of intestinal perforation due to gallstones.

We describe a case of a 73-year-old man who presented to our ED with complaints of diffuse abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, and fever for the past week. Abdomen CT showed signs of acute perforated appendicitis. An exploratory laparotomy was proposed which revealed cecal perforation caused by a 3 cm gallstone. A right colectomy was performed with primary anastomosis, without cholecystectomy or fistula repair. The postoperative period was complicated due to an anastomotic dehiscence on day 12 with the need for a re-laparotomy with an ileotransverse colostomy confection. The patient was in the ICU care for five days and was discharged on the 13th day after the second intervention. 

The clinical presentation of gallstone ileus is nonspecific and vague often leading to a delay in the diagnosis and treatment. CT scan has the best specificity and sensibility for the diagnosis but abdominal X-ray may show the pathognomonic Rigler´s triad. The surgical treatment consists of removing the gallstone with or without simultaneous cholecystectomy and fistula repair.

Reports of colonic perforation due to gallstones are very scarce, which makes this a very low suspicion diagnosis. The ideal surgical approach is not established. The morbidity of these cases can reach 50%.