Gallstone ileus an unusual reason for right iliac fossa pain in Crohn's disease: a case report

Sheharyar Asif Qureshi1, Rashaad Gossiel, Mehwish Qureshi

  • 1Department of Acute Medicine, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, Derby Road, Nottingham, UK. drsheharyarasif@gmail.com

Cases Journal
|February 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Diagnosing gallstone ileus in Crohn's disease patients is challenging. This case highlights how abdominal CT scans can aid in early and accurate diagnosis, potentially reducing mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Abdominal Surgery

Background:

  • Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition with diverse gastrointestinal symptoms and complications.
  • Gallstone ileus, a rare complication, presents diagnostic challenges, particularly in patients with pre-existing Crohn's disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a case of gallstone ileus in a patient with known Crohn's disease.
  • To emphasize the utility of abdominal CT in diagnosing gallstone ileus in this specific patient population.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 72-year-old female with a history of Crohn's disease.
  • Diagnostic investigation included an abdominal CT scan.

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with acute right iliac fossa pain.
  • Abdominal CT scan provided a definitive diagnosis of gallstone ileus.

Conclusions:

  • Gallstone ileus can occur in patients with Crohn's disease.
  • Early diagnosis of gallstone ileus, facilitated by imaging like CT scans, is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes in Crohn's disease patients.

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