What causes gallstone ileus?
The etiology of gallstone ileus results from adhesions forming between an inflamed gallbladder and an adjacent GI tract followed by gallstones causing pressure necrosis or inflammation between the two tissues. The inflammation or necrosis results in erosion and formation of a cholecyst-enteric fistula.
How do you manage gallstone ileus?
In the treatment approach for cases of gallstone ileus, selection of surgical method should be based on the impaction site. Two-stage surgery is recommended for cases with impaction at the level of the small intestine, while one-stage surgery is recommended for cases with impaction at other sites.
How do I know if I have gallstone ileus?
The main distinguishing features of gallstone ileus are small bowel obstruction with the presence of pneumobilia and a gallstone in the right iliac fossa on X-ray/CT (referred to as Rigler’s triad). Plain abdominal X-ray should show the typical features of small intestinal obstruction.
What does ileus pattern mean?
Ileus is a temporary and often painful lack of movement in the intestines. It is a serious condition because, if left untreated, it can cut off blood supply to the intestines and cause tissue death. This can result in an intestinal tear or infection of the abdominal cavity that can be life threatening.
Is gallstone ileus serious?
Gallstone ileus is an important, though infrequent, cause of mechanical bowel obstruction, affecting older adult patients who often have other significant medical conditions. It is caused by impaction of a gallstone in the ileum after being passed through a biliary-enteric fistula.
How does gallstone ileus work?
Gallstone ileus is a rare form of small bowel obstruction caused by an impaction of a gallstone within the lumen of the small intestine. Such a gallstone enters the bowel via a cholecysto-enteric fistula.
Where does gallstone ileus occur?
Obstruction occurs most commonly at the near the distal ileum, within 60 cm proximally to the ileocecal valve. Rarely, gallstone ileus may recur if the underlying fistula is not treated.
Is a gallstone ileus actually an ileus?
Gallstone ileus is an infrequent complication of cholelithiasis and is defined as a mechanical intestinal obstruction due to impaction of one or more gallstones within the gastrointestinal tract. The term “ileus” is a misnomer, since the obstruction is a true mechanical phenomenon[1].
Can gallstones block the bowel?
Gallstone ileus It’s where the bowel becomes obstructed by a gallstone. Gallstone ileus is where an abnormal channel, known as a fistula, opens up near the gallbladder. Gallstones are able to travel through the fistula and can block the bowel.
Does gallstone ileus cause jaundice?
The presence of narrow tract of intestine may facilitate the incidence of gallstone ileus. It appears to be the first report on this rare type of gallstone ileus inducing obstructive jaundice.