Gallstone Ileus: Uncommon Presentation Followed by Less Common Spontaneous Resolution

Spontaneous resolution of gallstone ileus followed by imaging: A case report and a literature review

“…Spontaneous resolution is reported in only 1.3% of cases of gallstones larger than 2-2.5 cm [7] . The literature reports that, in cases of spontaneous resolution, gallstone dimensions vary from 2 to 6 cm [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] . We were able to find only 13 previously published cases of GI with spontaneous resolution [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] and in the most of cases, the patients were women.…”

“…The literature reports that, in cases of spontaneous resolution, gallstone dimensions vary from 2 to 6 cm [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] . We were able to find only 13 previously published cases of GI with spontaneous resolution [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] and in the most of cases, the patients were women. The timing for the spontaneous resolution ranges from 16 hours to 7 days and the site of impaction was in the most of cases, the right iliac fossa [ 20 – 27 , 30 ].…”

“…In 2 cases, the gallstone was found in the rectosigmoid area [ 28 , 29 ]. In 3 cases, any gallstones were visualized on imaging [ 18 , 19 , 21 ] but in 2 cases [ 19 , 21 ] multiple gallstones were visualized on the spontaneous evacuation. In one case, multiple gallstones were described on CT [24] .…”

“…CT was the most widely used imaging tool to make the diagnosis of GI. Adhesions and cholecystoduodenal fistulas were found on CT in 6 cases [ 21 , 22 , 24 – 27 ]. In one case, a cholecystocolonic fistula was found on CT and MRI [19] .…”

Dual Bowel Obstruction: A Rare Case of Gallstone Ileus and Colonic Adenocarcinoma

“…Primary anastomosis or ileostomy creation is then decided based on complication and viability of the tissue. In 2020, Nicholas et al reported an unusual resolution of obstruction due to gallstone ileus by passing the stones with the bowel motion; however, conservative management was not proposed in the literature as the standard of care [ 9 ]. The literature supports that fistulotomy with cholecystectomy is performed in selected cases where patients are less co-morbid and surgically fit.…”