# Gallstone Ileus Causing Mechanical Bowel Obstruction in a Patient With Caroli's Disease: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A 65-year-old woman with Caroli's disease developed gallstone ileus, a rare cause of bowel obstruction, requiring surgical intervention.

## Contribution

This case report highlights gallstone ileus as a rare complication in patients with Caroli's disease.

## Key findings

- Gallstone ileus was diagnosed in a patient with Caroli's disease via CT scan.
- Surgical removal of the obstructive gallstone was required.
- The case emphasizes the need for high clinical suspicion in diagnosing rare causes of bowel obstruction.

## Abstract

Gallstone ileus is a rare but significant cause of abdominal pain and mechanical bowel obstruction. Its management usually involves minimally invasive surgical intervention.

This case report describes a 65-year-old woman with a history of Caroli disease and prior abdominal surgery, who presented with a one-month history of progressive, cramp-like abdominal pain, accompanied by nausea and intermittent vomiting. Due to these persistent symptoms, she underwent a CT scan, which confirmed gallstone ileus with obstruction of a jejunal loop, necessitating surgical removal of the gallstone.

This case underscores the importance of integrating a patient’s medical history with their presenting symptoms and maintaining a high level of clinical suspicion for rare but serious causes of mechanical bowel obstruction that may otherwise be overlooked.