A rare presentation of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) – The Bouveret's syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Bouveret's Syndrome is a rare cause of Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) caused by a gall stone which has migrated into the duodenal bulb from a bilioduodenal fistula. It is an uncommon condition and only a few cases have been reported in the medical literature till to date. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of a 45 year old woman who presented to us with recurrent pain in the upper abdomen for the last 8 years, and that progressed to develop symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed duodenal ulceration with a stony hard lesion in the first part of duodenum. An contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan of the abdomen performed later confirmed the presence of cholecystoduodenal fistula and a gall-stone in proximal jejunum. DISCUSSION: Bouveret's syndrome is a case of gastric outlet obstruction caused by the impaction of a large gall stone in the duodenum as a result of a cholecystoduodenal fistula. It constitutes 1–3% of cases of gall stone ileus which in turn complicates only 0.3–4% cases of cholelithisasis. Bouveret's syndrome is managed surgically. CONCLUSION: Bouveret's syndrome being an uncommon condition may pose a difficulty in diagnosis and dilemma in managing such patients. An awareness is hence essential.