Bouveret syndrome: unusual cause of gallstone ileus

Abstract

Introduction: Bouveret syndrome consists of an obstruction of the gastric outlet due to the impaction of a gallstone in the duodenal bulb after migration through a cholecystoduodenal fistula. Clinical Case: Patient with diffuse colicky abdominal pain, diarrhea and yellowish vomiting. The imaging tests carried out reveal significant gastric and duodenal dilation with the presence of gas at the gallbladder level with the existence of a cholecystoduodenal fistula with a rounded intraluminal image in the proximal jejunum compatible with migrated lithiasis. The patient underwent emergency surgery through an enterotomy with removal of the calculus and its closure. Discussion: Bouveret's syndrome is a rare gallstone ileus condition that causes significant morbidity and mortality and often occurs in the elderly with significant comorbidities. Individual diagnosis and treatment strategies are required for optimal management and results, with endoscopic treatment or open surgery being the two treatments available for resolution of the condition. Conclusion: Bouveret syndrome is a life-threatening condition with gastric outlet obstruction caused by large gallstones. In most cases, a CT scan is required for diagnosis, and although in some cases percutaneous and endoscopic treatments can be successful as first-line treatment, most patients require surgery to remove stones.