Gallstone ileus

Last revised by Mostafa Elfeky on 9 Dec 2023

Gallstone ileus is an uncommon cause of mechanical small bowel obstruction. It is a rare complication of chronic cholecystitis 7 and occurs when a gallstone passes through a fistula between the gallbladder and small bowel before becoming impacted at the ileocecal valve

Although overall gallstone ileus is an uncommon cause of small bowel obstruction (1-4% in general adult population 9), in the elderly it is not uncommon, and accounts for up to 25% of non-strangulated bowel obstructions 1. As is the case with cholelithiasis, women are more frequently affected 7.

Typically patients have a long history of recurrent right upper quadrant pain, in keeping with chronic cholecystitis with repeated inflammatory events 6. Gallstone ileus can acutely present as colicky abdominal pain and abdominal distension in the course of small bowel obstruction.

Repeated bouts of cholecystitis result in adhesion of the gallbladder to the small bowel (usually duodenum) with eventual fistula formation and passage of gallstones into the lumen. The most common site of entry by erosion is thought to be to the duodenum 7. Small stones presumably pass without incidence. However, large cholesterol stones can become impacted, typically at the ileocecal valve 6. As such, gallstone ileus is a mechanical small bowel obstruction. Ileus is a misnomer as the term ileus is usually used to describe a functional, rather than, mechanical obstruction.

Most frequently, stones become impacted in the distal ileum, although they may become lodged at other locations 5:

Classically the findings on abdominal radiographs are that of small bowel obstruction, gas within the biliary tree, and a gallstone (usually in the right iliac fossa): Rigler triad

The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CT in diagnosing gallstone ileus is around 93%, 100%; and 99%, respectively 11.

Appearances are those of Rigler triad, better seen than on plain radiograph. Since only the minority of gallstones calcify (12.5%), and their density is similar to regular bowel content, it is easy to overlook the offending gallstone 1. There may be bulging of the bowel just before the transition point which may be helpful in locating the gallstone. Typically, stones are large and measure several centimeters (2-3 cm).

Additionally, the site of fistulization is often seen. This most commonly occurs between the gallbladder and the duodenum, and is demonstrated on barium meal as a contrast collection lateral to the first part of duodenum.

It is important to look for free fluid, free gas, portal venous gas, or mural gas, as signs of more advanced disease and poorer prognosis.

Due to the demographics of the population affected (elderly), this condition continues to have high mortality (12-30%) 1-2,7.

Surgery is definitive, with the removal of the stone (enterolithotomy) and repair of the choledochoenteric fistula, accompanied by a cholecystectomy.

The first descriptions of gallstone ileus occurred in 1654 by Thomas Bartholin (1616-1680), a Danish physician, naturalist, physiologist, and anatomist 3,4.

The differential is that of each component of Rigler triad:

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