Case Report
Small Bowel Obstruction Secondary to Gallstone Ileus with Finding of Rigler’s Triad on CT Abdomen: A Case Report
Raniga H, Shekhar A and Hendehewa R*
Department of Surgery, Caboolture Hospital, Australia
*Corresponding author: Rasika Hendahewa, Department of Surgery, Caboolture Hospital, 120 McKean Street Caboolture QLD 4510, Australia
Published: 09 Feb, 2017
Cite this article as: Raniga H, Shekhar A, Hendehewa R.
Small Bowel Obstruction Secondary to
Gallstone Ileus with Finding of Rigler’s
Triad on CT Abdomen: A Case Report.
Clin Surg. 2017; 2: 1294.
Abstract
Gallstone ileus is an infrequent cause of small bowel obstruction. It mainly affects the elderly population with a female predominance. Many individuals often have concurrent history of chronic cholelithiasis. A fistula between the gallbladder and duodenum allow for the passage of a gallstone into the small bowel potentially leading to mechanical obstruction. Diagnosis can be difficult even with the help of modern imaging modalities which can lead to a delay in management and high risk of morbidity and mortality. This case demonstrates a commonly cited sign of gallstone ileus known as Rigler’s Triad; small bowel obstruction, a gallstone outside the gallbladder, and air in the biliary tree.
Introduction
Small bowel obstruction is a serious condition which has the potential to become a surgical emergency if left untreated. The most common causes of small bowel obstruction in adults include adhesions, hernias and tumour [1]. However, rarer causes of mechanical bowel obstruction should be considered if a diagnosis is uncertain. Gallstone ileus is an important but rare cause of small bowel obstruction accounting for about 1-4% of cases of intestinal obstruction [2]. The intermittent and variable symptomatology of gallstone ileus may potentially delay diagnosis which may be a contributing factor that accounts to its relatively high rate of associated morbidity and mortality. In this case, we describe a case of acute small bowel obstruction in a 58-year-old lady secondary to an impacted gallstone at the terminal ileum. She went on to receive an open laparotomy.
Case Presentation
Background
A generally healthy 58 year old lady presented to the emergency department from the GP with a
3 day history of cramping central abdominal pain with associated nausea and vomiting. She has also
noted a 1 month history of abdominal pain after eating high fat meals.
Preoperative assessment
On clinical examination, the abdomen was soft with some periumbilical tenderness. Routine
blood test was significant for left shifted leukocystosis. An abdominal CT scan requested by the GP
earlier in the day demonstrated what initially looked to be a central small bowel necrotic mass with
distal small bowel obstruction and transition point at the terminal ileum (Figure 1). On further
evaluation of the CT abdomen, free air was noted in the biliary tree (Figure 2). These findings are
classically sited as Rigler’s Triad; small bowel obstruction, pneumobilia, and gallstone outside the
gallbladder.
Operative technique
She subsequently went on to receive an urgent laparoscopy which was converted to open
laparotomy in view of suspicious CT scan findings. A midline incision was done with careful
exploration of the small bowel. A large 4 cm palpable gallstone was found in the terminal ileum
(Figure 3). A wedge resection was carried out to remove the gallstone (Figure 4). Cholecystectomy and fistula closure was delayed in this case in view of the clinical situation. She will receive an MRCP
at a later date before any subsequent procedure. The patient remained in hospital post surgery and
was discharged on post-operative day 5 without complication.
Figure 1
Figure 1
CT Abdomen demonstrating dilated loops of bowel. Arrow indicating site of suspected gallstone obstruction.
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Discussion
Gallstone disease is a common condition which usually presents with a history of biliary colic.In the majority of cases, gallstone disease may be complicated by
acute cholecystitis, gallstone pancreatitis, or choledocholithiasis.
However, in about 0.5% of patients with gallstone disease, gallstone
ileus may occur; a relatively rare cause of small bowel obstruction [3].
Our patient was a relatively elderly lady that demonstrated about a
1-month history of biliary colic prior to presenting. This prompted
gallstone ileus as a possible differential.
Gallstone ileus occurs most often in elderly individuals.
Approximately 70% of patients are over the age of 65. Females are
three and a half times more likely than males [4].
Fistula formation between the gallbladder and duodenum is the
most common explanation for gallstone ileus. A fistula may allow
passage of a stone into the small bowel. Small bowel obstructions
generally occur with stones >2.5 cm in size [4]. Impaction of the stone
most commonly occurs near the ileocaecal valve due to a narrow
lumen with less frequent peristaltic activity. In this case, the gallstone
was approximately 4 cm in size and was located in its classic position
near the terminal ileum.
The clinical symptoms of gallstone ileus are non-specific which
often leads to a delay in preoperative diagnosis and higher rate of
morbidity and mortality. Consideration should be made in any
elderly female patient presenting with symptoms of small bowel
obstruction with a previous history of cholelithiasis or cholecystitis.
On abdominal plain film, Rigler’s triad is often sited: pneumobilia (air
in the biliary tree), signs of small bowel obstruction, and radio-opaque
gallstone on imaging. An abdominal CT was done in this case which
demonstrated signs of small bowel obstruction and what looked like
a necrotic mass rather than a radio-opaque stone. It should be noted
that a preoperative diagnosis is only made in about 50-60% of cases
and findings demonstrating Rigler’s Triad are generally rare. As a
result, definitive diagnosis is often delayed until laparotomy.
Treatment options largely depend on a patient’s clinical status.
The most common surgical approach to managing gallstone ileus is
an enterotomy with stone retrieval which was done in this case. In
terms of managing the gallbladder and fistula, there is controversy as
to whether a delayed fistula closure versus a single stage procedure
comprised of enter olithotomy, cholecystectomy and fistula closure
is of benefit. In up to 50% of cases, a fistula may spontaneously close
[5]. In addition, the rate of gallstone ileus recurrence is generally low
(5-9%) following enter olithotomy.
Learning Points
1. In elderly females with history of cholelithiasis and biliary obstruction; gallstone ileus must be considered as early surgical management is critical.
2. Although CT scan is helpful, preoperative diagnosis is often delayed until laparotomy and Rigler’s Triad is not commonly demonstrated on imaging.
3. Although controversy exists, Enter olithotomy with delayed cholecystectomy and fistula closure remains an acceptable surgical option in the management of gallstone ileus.
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