Gallstone ileus demonstrated by CT.
OBJECTIVE
The appearance and evolution of gallstone ileus as seen by CT are reported.


METHODS
CT examination was performed on three patients with unspecific abdominal pain. In one patient sequential investigations were performed over 7 months.


RESULTS
In all cases the gallbladder was greatly distorted, contained air, and was in direct continuity with a thickened duodenal wall. The gallstone was detected in the small bowel in all cases. In one patient sequential CT examinations over several months demonstrated the evolution from uncomplicated gallstone disease to cholecystitis and finally to perforation of the gallstone into the duodenal bulb.


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness of the CT findings in gallstone ileus may result in more rapid diagnosis and treatment, which may lead to a decrease in the rather high morbidity and mortality seen in this disease.
Lorén
I
I
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Malmö University Hospital, University of Lund, Sweden.
Lasson
A
A
Nilsson
A
A
Nilsson
P
P
Nirhov
N
N
D000368:Aged; D001658:Biliary Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007077:Ileal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed