Background

Bouveret syndrome is caused by the impaction of migrated gallstone(s) in the pylorus or proximal duodenum which causes gastric outlet obstruction [1]. Only 316 cases have been reported in available literature till now [2]. It most commonly affects elderly female patients [3]. Since it is a rare and atypical complication of gallstone disease, the diagnosis of Bouveret syndrome is often delayed or overlooked. This is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The aim of reporting this case is to increase the awareness of this overlooked condition as timely diagnosis and management will lead to improved prognosis in these patients [4].

Case presentation

A 52-year-old female patient who was a known case of diabetes mellitus and hypertension presented to the gastro-surgery outpatient’s Department (OPD) with complaints of recurrent attacks of vomiting and abdominal pain. On physical examination there was no obvious lump in the abdomen, however, there was tenderness in the epigastrium. No similar illness was present in family members. Patients had a good socio-economic status. The patient had no significant past medical or surgical history. The patient was advised routine blood workup, upper GI endoscopy, and abdominal ultrasound. Endoscopy showed a mass lesion in the gastric pylorus obstructing which scope could not be negotiated. Biopsy was taken which showed an inflammatory picture without evidence of malignancy. Ultrasonography showed cholelithiasis. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen was done to characterize the lesion causing obstruction. CT showed mild pneumobilia associated with a well-defined spherical non-enhancing hypodense lesion of size 2 cm in the submucosa of the gastric pylorus as shown in Fig. 1, consistent with an impacted gallstone causing Bouveret syndrome. The patient underwent surgery, intraoperative findings (Fig. 2) confirmed the diagnosis of Bouveret syndrome. Our patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, cholecystectomy, primary repair of fistula opening. Frozen section biopsy from pyloric mucosa and GB wall were sent for histopathological correlation. The patient has not experienced any postoperative complications till now. It was a life-changing surgery for the patient since he was previous diagnosed with a malignant mass. The patient was happy with the current diagnosis and surgery for being a benign etiology instant of malignant as diagnosed previously.

Fig. 1
figure 1

A–C Contrast-enhanced computed tomography images in coronal (A), axial (B) and sagittal (C) sections showing submucosal impaction of gallstone (hypodense) with surrounding mucosal thickening (red arrow) at pylorus causing gastric outlet obstruction. D Axial CT images in lung window to show pneumobilia (blue arrow)

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Fig. 2
figure 2

E Intraoperative images showing GB fossa (star), gall stone (1) and duodenum (2). F intraoperative images after stone removal  - showing fistulous opening into pylorus (3)

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Discussion

Bouveret's syndrome refers to gastric outlet obstruction caused by the formation of a chole-cysto-pyloric fistula and subsequent migration and impaction of a large gallstone into the pylorus [5]. Risk factors for Bouveret's syndrome include gallstones > 2.5 cm in size, the female sex, and age > 70 years. Gastric outlet obstruction causes multiple symptoms including abdominal pain, recurrent nausea/vomiting, and dyspepsia. Abdominal imaging in this syndrome typically reveals Rigler's triad of ectopic gallstone, pneumobilia, and small bowel obstruction. However, only ~ 33% of gallstone ileus cases exhibit these changes on conventional radiographs [6].

In this study a 52 years old female, who is relatively younger as compared to patients presenting with Bouveret syndrome. It provides a unique opportunity to examine the treatment options.

After extensive research of current literature, it was found out that a CECT scan of the abdomen is the most effective imaging technique to diagnose Bouveret syndrome. In this patient, the CECT scan successfully revealed both gallstones at the pylorus and its associated cholecysto-pyloric fistula causing gastric outlet obstruction.

Multiple treatment options are available for these patients from the least invasive treatment options like the endoscopy approach (with the low successful outcome) to surgical exploration (with the highly successful post-operative result). Existing literature suggests enterolithotomy as one of the treatment options for this syndrome as the advanced age makes them poor surgical candidates. A younger patient such as in our case can safely undergo surgery [4]. This case also emphasizes that younger patients can safely undergo surgical procedures, a course of action that can reduce the risk of gallstone recurrence. In absence of repair young patients would be at a greater risk of developing problems associated with a persisting fistula [7]. In our particular case, fistula repair was carried out, with positive results evidenced by the healthy condition of the patient after the operation [5]. The present case, alongside the existing literature regarding treatment in younger patients, shows that younger patients indeed can accept the greater surgical pressures associated with these approaches.

The present study offers the rare opportunity to study the successful treatment and outcome of a Bouveret syndrome patient whose age is far below that of the average patient afflicted by this condition.

Conclusions

Being a rare complication, Bouveret syndrome presents as a diagnostic dilemma and the US abdomen shows low specificity for diagnosis. A timely diagnosis is possible with an available imaging modality. Being a benign etiology it has a better prognosis. Abdominal radiograph, US, CT can be used for diagnosis, with CT being one of the most sensitive modalities for diagnosis. Being familiar with the imaging appearance of this condition, a radiologist can help in significantly reducing morbidity and mortality from this syndrome.