Intestinal Obstruction Secondary to Gallstone Ileus in a Patient with Cholangitis: Case Report

Gallstone ileus manifests as intestinal obstruction. It occurs due to the passage of a stone and its subsequent lodging in the lumen of the digestive tract. The diagnosis is confirmed by imaging; the gold standard is abdominal tomography. Management is based on the extraction of the intraluminal calculus in one or more surgical times, depending on the patient's condition. We present the case of a patient with multiple comorbidities who showed a picture of cholangitis complicated by gallstone ileus and successfully treated with enterolithotomy. Surgical management is controversial since the optimal approach for these patients has not been established.

El íleo biliar se manifiesta como una obstrucción intestinal, se presenta por el paso de un lito y su posterior alojamiento en el lumen del tubo digestivo. El diagnóstico se confirma mediante imagenología, el patrón de oro es la tomografía abdominal. El manejo se fundamenta en la extracción del cálculo intraluminal en uno o más tiempos quirúrgicos, según el estado del paciente. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con múltiples comorbilidades, que debuta con un cuadro de colangitis complicada por íleo biliar, tratado exitosamente con enterolitotomía. El manejo quirúrgico es controversial, ya que no se ha establecido el abordaje óptimo para estos pacientes.

Íleo biliar: análisis de 21 casos / Gallstone ileus: analysis of 21 cases

RESUMEN Antecedentes : el íleo biliar es una complicación infrecuente de la litiasis vesicular, observada más comúnmente en mujeres añosas. Es causada por la migración, a través de una fístula bilioentérica, de un cálculo que produce la obstrucción del tránsito intestinal, que requiere tratamiento quirúrgico. Objetivo : describir las variables preoperatorias, intraoperatorias y posoperatorias de una serie de casos de íleo biliar y la incidencia de íleo biliar recurrente. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio retrospectivo observacional de pacientes operados con abdomen agudo obstructivo por íleo biliar entre enero de 2009 y diciembre de 2021. Las variables estudiadas fueron: estudios por imágenes, comorbilidades, vías de abordaje quirúrgico, tipo de cirugía, morbimortalidad y recurrencia del íleo. Resultados : sobre 667 pacientes que ingresaron con obstrucción intestinal, 21 tenían íleo biliar (3,1%). El diagnóstico se realizó por tomografía en el 80% de los casos. El abordaje quirúrgico fue por laparotomía en 20 casos y 1 por laparoscopia convertida. La cirugía más utilizada fue la enterotomía con enterorrafia en 18 casos. El tratamiento de la obstrucción fue la cirugía inmediata, mientras que el de la fístula biliar fue diferido en la mayoría de las oportunidades, debido a que el riesgo de tratarla en el momento era muy elevado. La morbilidad fue del 38% y la recurrencia del íleo biliar 4,7%. No se registró mortalidad. Conclusión : el íleo biliar fue una patología infrecuente, que pudo ser correcta y oportunamente diagnosticada y tratada con cirugía, con una baja incidencia de íleo biliar recurrente.

ABSTRACT Background : Gallstone ileus is a rare complication of cholelithiasis and mainly affects elder women. It is caused by gallstone migration through a cholecystoenteric fistula producing bowel obstruction, with the need for surgical treatment. Objective : The aim of this work was to describe the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables of a case series of gallstone ileus and the incidence of recurrent gallstone ileus. Material and methods : We conducted an observational and retrospective study of patients undergoing surgery due to acute bowel obstruction caused by gallstone ileus between January 2009 and December 2021. The variables analyzed were imaging tests, comorbidities, surgical approach, type of surgery, morbidity and mortality and recurrent ileus. Results : Of 667 patients admitted with bowel obstruction, 21 had gallstone ileus (3.1%). The diagnosis was made by computed tomography scan in 80% of the cases. The surgical approach was laparotomy in 20 cases and 1 patient undergoing laparoscopy required conversion. Enterotomy with enterorrhaphy was the most common procedure used in 18 cases. The obstruction was treated by immediate surgery, while the biliary fistula was deferred in most cases because the risk of immediate treatment was very high. Morbidity was 38% and recurrence of gallstone ileus 4.7%. No deaths were reported. Conclusion : Gallstone ileus was a rare condition that was correctly diagnosed and timely treated with surgery, with a low incidence of recurrent gallstone ileus.

Terapia de presión negativa para el manejo de abdomen catastrófico secundario a íleo biliar / Negative Pressure Therapy for Managing Catastrophic Abdomen following Gallstone Ileus

Introducción: El abdomen catastrófico o abdomen hostil es una entidad quirúrgica de gran importancia por la pérdida de los distintos espacios entre los órganos de la cavidad abdominal y las estructuras de la cavidad abdominal. Estas alteraciones producen cambios anatómicos grandes por un síndrome adherencial severo. Objetivo: Demostrar la presentación de un abdomen catastrófico posterior a manejo de íleo biliar en un paciente adulto. Caso clínico: Paciente masculino de 43 años que producto de un abdomen agudo obstructivo por íleo biliar evolucionó tórpidamente en otra casa asistencial. Se realizaron 3 intervenciones quirúrgicas, hasta llegar a nuestra casa asistencial donde se le trata de manera multidisciplinaria e integral. Estuvo 120 días hospitalizado y se le realizó 5 intervenciones quirúrgicas para aplicación y recambio de terapia de presión negativa abdominal abierta (ABThera). Durante la última intervención al encontrar una cavidad limpia y sin fugas se realiza gastroentero anastomosis en Y de Roux con una buena evolución clínico-quirúrgica hasta el alta, con seguimiento dos meses posteriores por consulta externa. Conclusiones: El abdomen catastrófico es un reto para el manejo por los cirujanos porque se requiere aparte de un vasto conocimiento también el apoyo de otras especialidades para poder combatir esta entidad(AU)

Introduction: Catastrophic abdomen or hostile abdomen is a surgical entity of great significance due to the loss of the different spaces between organs and the structures of the abdominal cavity. These alterations produce major anatomical changes due to a severe adhesive syndrome. Objective: To show the presentation of a catastrophic abdomen following gallstone ileus management in an adult patient. Clinical case: A 43-year-old male patient who, as a consequence of an acute obstructive abdomen due to gallstone ileus, had a torpid evolution into another care facility. Three surgical interventions were performed before he arrived at our care facility, where he was treated in a multidisciplinary and comprehensive way. He was hospitalized for 120 days and underwent five surgical interventions for application and replacement of the open abdomen negative pressure therapy (ABThera). During the last intervention, upon finding a clean cavity without leaks, a Roux-en-Y gastroenteric anastomosis was performed, with a good clinical-surgical evolution until discharge and follow-up of two months thereafter in the outpatient clinic. Conclusions: Catastrophic abdomen is a challenge to be managed by surgeons because it requires, apart from vast knowledge, the support of other specialties to combat this entity(AU)

Íleo biliar. Una entidad que perdura en el tiempo / Gallstone ileus: A condition that persists over time

RESUMEN Antecedentes: se define como íleo biliar (IB) la obstrucción mecánica del tubo digestivo por la presencia de uno o más litos biliares. La fisiopatogenia responde a una fístula colecistoduodenal. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo- retrospectivo entre diciembre de 2017 y enero de 2020 que incluyó 5 casos de IB. Se analizaron: sexo, edad, presentación clínica, utilidad de tomografía computarizada (TC), abordaje y conducta quirúrgica, cirujano actuante, localización de obstrucción, tamaño del lito y mortalidad. Resultados: analizamos 5 pacientes con IB y edad promedio de 66 años. En 4 objetivamos abdomen oclusivo y en uno perforativo. En todos los pacientes se realizó tomografía y el abordaje fue la laparotomía. Se optó por enterolitotomía en 4 y resección intestinal en uno. Hubo un deceso. Conclusión: el IB es un cuadro poco frecuente e insospechado, que predomina en mujeres. La tomografía es el estudio de referencia (gold standard). Factores inherentes al paciente y al equipo tratante determinan el abordaje y la conducta quirúrgica.

ABSTRACT Background: Gallstone ileus is defined as a mechanical obstruction due to impaction of one or more gallstones within the gastrointestinal tract. The pathogenesis is due to the presence of a cholecystoduodenal fistula. Material and methods: We conducted a descriptive and retrospective study of five cases of gallbladder ileus between December 2017 and January 2020. Sex, age, clinical presentation, usefulness of computed tomography scan, surgical approach and treatment, surgeon, site of obstruction, gallstone size and mortality were analyzed. Results: A total of five patients were included; mean age was 66 years. Four patients presented bowel obstruction and one patient had bowel perforation. All the patients underwent computed tomography scan and laparotomy. Enterolithotomy was performed in four patients and one patient underwent bowel resection. One patient died. Conclusion: Gallstone ileus is a rare condition more likely to affect women. Computed tomography scan is the gold standard method for the diagnosis. The surgical approach and strategy will depend on patient-related factors and on the experience of the surgical team.

Íleo biliar, una causa poco frecuente de oclusión intestinal / Gallstone Ileus, A Rare Cause of Intestinal Occlusion

RESUMEN Introducción: El íleo biliar representa el 4 por ciento de las causas de obstrucción intestinal en la población general. Objetivo: Mostrar un paciente con cuadro de oclusión intestinal por íleo biliar que fue diagnosticado y tratado en el transoperatorio. Caso clínico: Paciente de 78 años de edad con un cuadro oclusivo por un íleo biliar, al cual se le realizó enterolitotomía como tratamiento definitivo. Conclusiones: El íleo biliar es una causa de oclusión intestinal que todo cirujano general debe tener presente ante un anciano con elementos clínicos e imaginológicos de oclusión y sin intervenciones quirúrgicas previas o hernias de la pared abdominal(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Gallstone ileus represents 4 percent of the causes of intestinal obstruction in the general population. Objective: To present a patient with intestinal obstruction due to gallstone ileus and who was diagnosed and treated during the intraoperative period. Clinical case: The is presented of a 78-year-old patient with an occlusive condition due to gallstone ileus, who underwent enterolithotomy as definitive management procedure. Conclusions: Gallstone ileus is a cause of intestinal occlusion that every general surgeon should be aware of in the presence of an elderly with clinical and imaging elements of occlusion and without previous surgical interventions or hernias of the abdominal wall(AU)

The imaging features and value of multi-slice spiral CT in the diagnosis of internal biliary fistulas / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To analyze the typical imaging features of various internal biliary fistulas by multislice spiral CT (MSCT),and the diagnostic value.Methods the data of 56 cases of internal biliary fistula in Wuxi No.2 Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2011 to March 2018 were analyzed retrospectively.All cases were examined by MSCT plain scan and enhanced examination.The imaging features of various biliary fistula were analyzed and studied.Results Among 56 cases of biliary fistula,39 cases were gallbladder duodenum fistula,and the diagnostic sensitivity was 87.2％ (34/39).The total coincidence rate was 85.7％ (48/56).21 cases were fistula formation,and 11 cases of narrow neck syndrome.Gallbladder bile duct fistula,liver-gallbladder fistula,bile duct and duodenal fistula of 6 cases were showed.In 4 cases of complex gallbladder fistulas,3 cases showed fistula clearly including 2 cases of fistula and a "clover" sign.In the indirect CT signs of 56 cases of internal biliary fistula,the common imaging features:atrophy of gallbladder or incarceration,stone incarceration of biliary tract,gallbladder or choledochal duct and cavity viscera.Conclusion MSCT scan can not only distinguish the type of biliary fistula and the structure of fistula,but also display the fistula,shape,atrophy of gallbladder,gallbladder and bile duct gas,stone and surrounding conditions,which have important guiding significance for the formulation of the operation scheme.

Íleo biliar, una causa infrecuente de oclusión intestinal. Presentación de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Gallstone ileus, a rare cause of intestinal obstruction: report of a case and review of the literature

Resumen: El íleo biliar, es una causa poco frecuente de oclusión intestinal. Representa del 1-4% de los casos de oclusión intestinal mecánica. Debe tenerse en mente en pacientes de edad avanzada con signos y síntomas de oclusión intestinal, antecedentes de litiasis vesicular y cuadros repetitivos de cólico biliar. La sospecha de esta patología y el diagnóstico temprano permiten brindar un tratamiento quirúrgico oportuno. En el siguiente artículo documentamos el abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico de un caso de íleo biliar.

Abstract: Gallstone ileus is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. It represents the 1-4% cases of mechanical intestinal obstruction. It should be considered in elderly patients with symptoms of intestinal obstruction, a history of gallstones and biliary colic repetitive episodes. The suspicion of this disease and early diagnosis, allow to provide a timely surgical treatment. In the following article we document the diagnosis and treatment of a case of gallstone ileus.

Imaging of acute cholecystitis and cholecystitis-associated complications in the emergency setting

Acute cholecystitis is a common cause of right upper quadrant pain in patients presenting at the emergency department. Early diagnosis and recognition of associated complications, though challenging, are essential for timely management. Imaging studies, including ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, are increasingly utilised for the evaluation of suspected cases of cholecystitis. These investigations help in diagnosis, identification of complications and surgical planning. Imaging features of acute cholecystitis have been described in the literature and are variable, depending on the stage of inflammation. This article discusses the spectrum of cholecystitis-associated complications and their imaging manifestations. We also suggest a checklist for the prompt and accurate identification of complications in acute cholecystitis.

Multi-slice CT in diagnosing cholecysto-duodenal fistula / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To study the radiologic features and the diagnostic value of multi-slice spiral CT (Multi-slice CT, MSCT) in cholecysto-duodenal fistula.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 33 patients with cholecysto-duodenum fistula.Plain and IV enhanced MSCT were carried out on these patients.Results Of the 33 patients, the fistula was located at the duodenal bulb in 15 patients (45.5％) , the junction of the bulb and the descending part of the duodenum in 3 patients (9.1％) , the horizontal part in 5 patients (15.1％) and the ascending of the duodenum in 10 patients (30.3％).The CT signs of cholecysto-duodenum fistula included in 16 cases.The fistulae were clearly displayed including some fistulae being dumbbell-shaped.The indirect signs of cholecysto-duodenum fistula included in 2 cases the gallbladders were unclearly shown.In 1 case the gallbladder volume increased because of cancer and in another case because of acute cholecystitis.In 29 cases, the gallbladder volume was significantly reduced,with an average volume which ranged from 6 cm × 2 cm to 2 cm × 1 cm, and an average gallbladder wall thickening of 5 cm.There were extensive adhesions between the gallbladder and duodenum with visible effusion.In 26 cases, gas was present in the biliary system with 22 cases showing gallbladder gas, and 19 cases showing biliary pneumatosis.Biliary stones were present in 26 patients (gallbladder stones in 22 cases, gallbladder neck stones in 6 cases, common bile duct stones in 13 cases).At the site between the duodenum and the gallbladder there were radiological changes simulating a diverticulum.In 11 cases the changes were like a duodenal diverticula.The complications of cholecysto-duodenal fistula included 5 cases of gallstone ileus and 2 cases of multiple liver abscesses.Conclusions MSCT is important in depicting presence and location of cholecysto-duodenal fistula.The morphology and shape of the gallbladder, the presence of gas in the biliary system, the presence of stones and the surrounding adhesions could be fully demonstrated by MSCT.MSCT are important for diagnosing cholecysto-duodenal fistula and in the planning of surgery.

Progress of the diagnosis and therapy of gallstone ileus / 国际外科学杂志

Gallstone ileus is a rare complication of cholelithiasis,and is common in older gallstones patients.It lacks the typical clinical presentation,so preoperative diagnosis is very difficult.The best diagnostic modality now is abdominal CT scan.Surgery is the most important and useful treatment.According to patient' s own situation,choose individualized surgical approach.Endoscopic,laparoscopic and other minimally invasive treatment are promising.With the development of related technologies,it maybe increased of the gollstone ileus treatment.

Diagnosis and treatment of gallstone ileus / 中华消化外科杂志

Gallstone ileus is a rare mechanical ileus,which was caused by discharge of giant gall bladder stone to the intestine.Understanding the causes of ileus is the key factor for treatment,and surgical treatment is the treatment of choice.An old patient with gallstone ileus was admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in April 2013.Preoperative X ray detection and computed tomography showed gallbladder wall thickening,formation of a sinus tract between the gall bladder and the duodenum,and intestinal ileus in the left iliac region (the diameter of the stone was about 4 cm).The patient received medical treatment for 3 days and then exploratory laparotomy + lithotomy.Gall bladder stones were not detected during the operation,so the gall bladder was preserved.The patient was followed up till December 2013,the sinus tract was disappeared under B sonography,and the cholecystitis was cured.

Bouveret's syndrome: a case report and a review of the literature

Bouveret's syndrome is a gastric outlet obstruction caused by an impacted gallstone that passes through a cholecysto-gastric or cholecysto-duodenal fistula. An elderly woman visited a local clinic with nausea and abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a stone that was impacted in the duodenal lumen and a fistula between the gallbladder and duodenum. Malignancy could not be excluded due to the mass in the cystic duct showing enhancement and the presence of enlarged lymph nodes on computed tomography, and increased fludeoxyglucose uptake in the cystic duct on positron emission tomography. The patient underwent simultaneous cholecystectomy, segmental duodenectomy and gastro-jejunostomy. Pathological examination exhibited chronic inflammation and no primary cancer of the gallbladder and fistula.

Gallstone Perforation of the Ileum Found during an Operation for CBD Malignancy

Gallstone is a common disease with a prevalence of about 10%, but biliary ileus is a rare entity with a frequency of about 1% for all the symptomatic patients. We are reporting on a case of perforated terminal ileum that was due to gallstone, and this was without any associated intestinal obstruction or bilioenteric fistula. A 76 year old man presented with a history of jaundice and dark colored urine for a 3-month duration with no clinical features of intestinal obstruction. There was no past history of biliary tract disease. The abdominal radiograph demonstrated no biliary stones or classical findings of gallstone ileus, but there was a suspicion of cholangiocarcinoma. Laparotomy was performed. A perforation of terminal ileum was identified in the mesenteric border of the terminal ileum and adjacent to ileocecal valve, and it was wrapped by omentum. A small 1.5 cm sized stone was impacted in the mesentery at the site of the perforation. The perforation site was closed. Cholecystectomy and proximal common bile duct resection with Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy was then performed.

A Case of Gallstone Ileus Following Endoscopic Sphincterotomy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Gallstone ileus is caused by mechanical obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract by the gallstone and accounts for 1~3% of all intestinal obstructions. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) is the accepted treatment of choice for choledocholithiasis. Recognized complications of EST include bleeding, acute pancreatitis, retroperitoneal perforation. However, gallstone ileus is a rare complication of EST. A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with right upper quadrant pain. Abdominal ultrasound revealed single common bile duct (CBD) stone. ERCP was performed to remove the large CBD stone without mechanical lithotripsy. Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain were developed after stone removal. Plain abdomen X-ray and computerized tomography represented marked dilatation of small bowel loops without definite obstructive lesion. Because the mechanical obstruction was sustained, explorolaparotomy was performed. On the operation, single stone was impacted at the distal ileum, narrowed by previous radiotheraphy. We reported a case of gallstone ileus after the removal of CBD stone following EST without lithotripsy.

Three Cases of Gallstone Ileus / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Gallstone ileus is a mechanical obstruction caused by the impaction of one or more gallstones within the lumen of any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Gallstone ileus is frequently proceeded by an episode of acute cholecystitis. The resulting inflammation and adhesions facilitate the erosion of the offending gallstone through the gallbladder wall forming a cholecystoenteric fistula and allowing the passage of the gallstone. Fifty five-year-old, 71-year-old, and 74-year-old female patients were admitted to the Asan Medical Center for nausea, vomiting, and nonspecific abdominal pain. Erect abdominal plain film revealed several moderately dilated loops of small bowel with air fluid levels. Computed tomography showed the classic triad of findings of gallstone ileus. Dilated loops of small bowel, air in the biliary tree and an ectopic stone in the ileum were demonstrated. These impacted stones were removed by surgical intervention.

Íleo biliar: enterolitotomia videoassistida / Gallstone ileus: videoassisted enterolithotomy

Treatment, morbidity and mortality of patients with gallstone ileus depend on an accurate diagnosis made in time, and also on a more adequate therapeutic option.A detailed clinical evaluation is fundamental for such diagnosis. Complementary exams like a simple radiological study of the abdomen, high and low endoscopies, an ultrasonography, and a tomography can also be performed. The therapeutic options include the removal of the obstructive factor separately, the performance of a treatment in two separate stages, or the performance of a complete treatment (removal of the calculus, cholecystectomy, and the closing of the fistula).This study aims to present a case report of an elderly man of high surgical risk, presenting gallstone ileus. He was submitted to an isolated videoassisted enterolithotomy through a minilaparotomy. Taking into consideration the patient’s advanced age and the lack of evidence as to other biliary associated pathologies, the chosen treatment seemed to be a good alternative. The evolution was good, and after an 8 month follow-up the patient was found well and with no biliary symptoms whatsoever.