118 Bouveret Syndrome: A Rare Case of a Huge Gallstone causing Gastric Outlet Obstruction

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Bouveret syndrome is a rare case of gallstone ileus resulting from an acquired fistula connecting the gallbladder and either the stomach or duodenum and cause intestinal obstruction. Case Summary A 85-year-old female presented with epigastric pain non-bilious vomiting and absolute constipation for five days. She patient was tachycardiac and was dehydrated. Abdomen was distended. Bowel sounds were absent. Digital rectal examination was unremarkable. Abdominal radiography did not demonstrate pathological air-fluid levels, rather revealed a dilated gastric shadow, suggestive of gastric outlet obstruction. The patient was immediately managed with nasogastric intubation and intravenous hydration. Subsequent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was planned to rule out carcinoma owing to the age of the patient. EGD revealed a dilated stomach and a hard, golf-ball-sized gallstone in the third part of the duodenum. The scope could not be passed beyond the impacted stone, nor could it be extracted endoscopically. CT tomography revealed a distended stomach with a large gallstone obstructing duodenum and pneumobilia . One-stage surgical procedure was planned. Intraoperative findings included a thick-walled gallbladder with surrounding inflammation and a fistulous tract connecting the gallbladder with the duodenum. A gallstone measuring 3.7cm in diameter was retrieved from the third part of duodenum via enterotomy. The fistulous tract was closed, and cholecystectomy was performed and drain was placed. Patient was discharged on 4th postop day. Conclusion Bouveret syndrome is an infrequent presentation causing gastric outlet obstruction and is often overlooked owing to its rarity. High index of suspicion is necessary when patients present with bowel obstruction and a history of gallstones to prevent morbidity and mortality from Bouveret syndrome.