[Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy in gallstone perforation]

A 78-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis, arteriosclerosis and cardiac arrhythmias (Lown grade IVb) was admitted to hospital because of haematemesis. Gastroscopy revealed a narrow, deformed duodenal bulb with a bleeding ulcer crater on the posterior wall and a mucosal protrusion 1 cm in diameter. In the course of the illness the duodenal bulb obstruction increased further and there was recurrent vomiting. Repeat gastroscopy 7 days later showed a gallstone, about 4 cm in diameter, which had perforated into the duodenal bulb and could not be removed endoscopically. Because of the serious nature of the other diseases an operation was not undertaken, but an ultrasound-guided extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy was performed. In three sessions this succeeded without complication to break up the stone, the larger fragments of which were then removed endoscopically while the small ones passed through the gut spontaneously. Subsequent ultrasonography demonstrated a shrunk, stone-free gallbladder with a cholecystoduodenal fistula. Afterwards the patient was again able to take food by mouth without any problems.