Gallstone Ileus: A Rare Cause of Intraluminal Small Bowel Obstruction

Abstract

Background: Gallstone ileus is mechanical intestinal obstruction secondary to impaction of a gallstone within the gastrointestinal tract, and accounts for 1-4% of mechanical bowel obstruction, with a preponderance in the female population [1].

Case Presentation: 56 year-old female presented with right upper quadrant pain (RUQ) and multiple vomits, current smoker. Mechanical obstruction noted on computerised-tomography and underwent laparotomy revealing gallstone ileus. This is on a background of two prior episodes of RUQ pain, presenting to the hospital but lost of follow-up after discharging against medical advice two years ago.