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World J Gastrointest Endosc. Sep 16, 2010; 2(9): 321-324
Published online Sep 16, 2010. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v2.i9.321
Published online Sep 16, 2010. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v2.i9.321
Ileal gallstone obstruction: Single-balloon enteroscopic removal
Hauke Sebastian Heinzow, Tobias Meister, Wolfram Domschke, Hansjoerg Ullerich, Department of Medicine B, University of Muenster, Muenster D48149, Germany
Johannes Wessling, Department of Radiology, University of Muenster, Muenster D48149, Germany
Author contributions: Heinzow HS and Ullerich H contributed eaqually to this work; Heinzow HS, Meister T, Wessling J, Domschke W and Ullerich H designed and performed the research and analyzed the data; and Heinzow HS, Meister T, Domschke W and Ullerich H wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Hauke Sebastian Heinzow, MD, Department of Medicine B, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 33, Muenster D48149, Germany. hauke.heinzow@ukmuenster.de
Telephone: +49-251-8347661 Fax: +49-251-8347576
Received: March 22, 2010
Revised: June 30, 2010
Accepted: July 7, 2010
Published online: September 16, 2010
Revised: June 30, 2010
Accepted: July 7, 2010
Published online: September 16, 2010
Abstract
Gallstone-induced ileus is a rare complication of cholelithiasis. Since localization of gallstones impacted in the small bowel, especially in the ileum, prevents access by conventional endoscopy in most cases, the mainstay of treatment remains surgical. Recent invention of double- and single-balloon enteroscopy has added much to the ability of imaging the small bowel and enables endoscopically directed therapy. Herein, for the first time, we report a successful endoscopic calculus removal via peroral single-balloon enteroscopy in an 81-year-old woman suffering from gallstone ileus of the ileum.