Gallstone Ileus in A Young Male: A Rare Case of Small Bowel Obstruction

Introduction

Gallstone ileus is a rare but important cause of small bowel obstruction, accounting for only 1–4% of all cases and typically occurring in elderly women. The nonspecific clinical presentation and limited sensitivity of routine imaging studies often lead to delayed diagnosis, increasing morbidity and mortality. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 38-year-old man without known history of biliary disease who presented with abdominal distension, constipation, and epigastric pain. A plain abdominal radiograph revealed signs of small bowel obstruction, while an exploratory laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis of gallstone ileus with the discovery of two large gallstones obstructing the ileum. A successful laparotomy relieved the obstruction, and the patient made an uneventful postoperative recovery.

Conclusion