Gallstone ileus and Crohn's disease without biliary-enteric fistula: Report of a unique case

Gallstone ileus is an uncommon cause of small bowel obstruction, accounting for fewer than 3% of laparotomies for intestinal obstruction. Patients wit h long-standing Crohn's disease have an increased risk of developing gallst one disease. However, gallstone ileus is not common in these patients. We r eport the case of a 70-year-old female with Crohn's disease who presented w ith gallstone ileus, and present a review of the literature. We discuss the association between gallstone ileus and Crohn's disease, and the treatment options for these patients. We emphasize the importance of including galls tone ileus in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with intest inal obstruction, especially patients with longstanding Crohn's disease. Mi e advocate the early utilization of computerized tomography to confirm the diagnosis, and prompt early surgical intervention.