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Between a rock and a hard place: retained appendicolith causing a mechanical small bowel obstruction
Ioannis Sagkriotis1, Zain Habib2, Mohammed Zardab3
1General Surgery, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl, UK.
Journal of Surgical Case Reports
|October 7, 2020
Summary
An appendicolith, a hardened piece of stool in the appendix, caused a rare small bowel obstruction after an appendicitis diagnosis. This case highlights the importance of considering retained appendicoliths in diagnosing bowel obstructions.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Appendicitis is a common surgical emergency.
- Appendicoliths are frequently found in appendicitis cases but rarely cause complications beyond the appendix.
Observation:
- An unusual case of small bowel obstruction was diagnosed.
- The obstruction was caused by an appendicolith migrating into the small bowel.
Findings:
- Radiographic features of appendicolith-induced small bowel obstruction are detailed.
- The pathomechanics of appendicolith migration and obstruction are discussed.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for retained appendicoliths to cause significant gastrointestinal complications.
- Management strategies for retained appendicoliths should be considered to prevent such incidents.
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