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

Abstract

Gallstone ileus (GI) is a rare cause of acute abdomen in an emergency setting and a rare complication of cholelithiasis in the elderly, with a female prevalence. Radiologists play a key role in the diagnosis and management of this condition and, with a multimodal approach, diagnostic accuracy usually increases. Spontaneous resolution of GI has previously been reported for stones smaller than 2 cm. Gallstones usually require surgical management; however, in patients with comorbidities and at high risk of surgical complications, a conservative approach may be considered. Herein, we report the case of an 84-year-old woman who came to the emergency department with an acute abdomen pain caused by a GI, with a 2.6 cm gallstone that was revealed on computed tomography and which was followed by diagnostic imaging with spontaneous resolution.

Keywords

• Gallstones
• Multimodality approach
• CT
• Spontaneous resolutions
• Conservative management