Abstract
Introduction
Small bowel obstruction can be caused by multiple factors. We describe an unusual case of small bowel obstruction secondary to three rare factors: gallstone ileus, peritoneal encapsulation and congenital adhesional band.
Case Presentation
A seventy-nine-year-old male presented with a four-day history of obstipation and abdominal pain. CT abdomen pelvis revealed small bowel obstruction secondary to gallstone ileus. The patient was managed by laparotomy. The intraoperative findings revealed the presence of a congenital peritoneal encapsulation with an adhesional band and gallstone proximal to the ileo-caecal valve. Although there was some dusky small bowel, this recovered following the release of the band.
Discussion
Peritoneal Encapsulation is a rare congenital pathology resulting in the formation of an accessory peritoneal membrane around the small bowel. This condition is asymptomatic and rarely presents as small bowel obstruction. The diagnosis is often made at laparotomy. There are less than 60 cases reported in literature. Gallstone ileus is another rare entity caused by an inflamed gallbladder adhering to part of the bowel resulting in a fistula.
Conclusions
The rarity of these conditions mean that they are poorly understood. A combination of this triad of gall stone ileus in the presence of peritoneal encapsulation and congenital band has not been reported before. Knowledge of this would raise awareness, facilitate diagnosis and management of patients.
An unusual case of small bowel obstruction
