Meckel's enterolith : a rare cause of mechanical small bowel subobstruction

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Surgical Innovation
• Congenital Malformations
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital gastrointestinal anomaly.
• It can manifest as bleeding, obstruction, or diverticulitis, particularly in patients under 50.
• Risk factors for symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum include male gender, longer diverticula, and ectopic mucosa.

Observation:

• Enterolith formation is a rare complication, typically occurring within the diverticulum.
• Factors contributing to enteroliths include stasis and diverticular characteristics in an alkaline environment.
• Expelled enteroliths causing mechanical obstruction are exceptionally rare.

Findings:

• This case highlights mechanical small bowel sub-obstruction caused by an expelled Meckel's enterolith.
• Plain abdominal films can be challenging for visualizing enteroliths due to variable radiopacity.
• Surgical intervention, such as diverticulectomy or bowel resection, is the standard treatment for complicated cases.

Implications:

• Understanding enterolith formation and expulsion is crucial for diagnosing rare gastrointestinal obstructions.
• This case underscores the importance of considering unusual causes of bowel obstruction.
• Accurate diagnosis and timely surgical management are vital for favorable patient outcomes.