Gallstone Ileus in the Absence of Gallbladder, Rare Etiology of Bowel Obstruction: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background: Gallstone ileus post-cholecystectomy is extremely rare surgical emergency causing mechanical bowel obstruction. This condition is usually misdiagnosed due to its non-specific clinical features. Radiological investigations are essential to evaluate and diagnose gallstone ileus cases. Case Presentation: A 92-year-old female patient, cholecystomized, presented to our hospital with a one-week history of an acute confusional state, generalized abdominal pain, and vomiting. The physical examination showed a disoriented patient with a distended abdomen and generalized tenderness, especially in the epigastric area. Hyperactive bowel sounds were audible. Laboratory investigations were non-specific. A plain abdominal X-ray was insignificant. The abdominal ultrasound showed marked abdominal gaseous distention. Then, an abdominal CT scan was performed, revealing an impression of gallstone ileus causing small bowel obstruction with no evidence of fistula formation. So, surgical intervention was decided, and an 8-gram gallstone was exteriorized through an enterolithotomy. The postoperative period was uneventful. Discussion: Gallstone ileus is an unusual entity that often affects elderly females. The clinical features of gallstone ileus include abdominal pain, abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting. Diagnosis of gallstone ileus relies on imaging and physical examination. Abdominal CT with contrast provides a definitive diagnostic tool. The surgical options to manage the gallstone ileus can be either one or two-staged enterolithotomy. Conclusion: Due to the rare etiologic origin of the gallstone ileus in post-cholecystectomy cases, we report the case of a 92-year-old female with an acute confusional state and generalized abdominal pain, found to be caused by detected gallstone ileus, lacking evidence of fistula formation.