A unique complication of self-expandable metal stent placement in malignant duodenal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction is a common complication in patients with advanced gastrointestinal malignancies. In the last two decades, endoscopic placement of duodenal stents has become a mainstay of palliative treatment in patients with unresectable obstructive duodenal pathology. Self-expandable metal stents have been reported to have excellent success rates, besides dramatically improve the patient’s quality of life by reinstating the oral feeding ability. Re-intervention rates remain high, commonly as a consequence of tumour ingrowth resulting stent occlusion. We describe a unique case of duodenal stent obstruction secondary to impacted gallstones. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case described in the literature and should alert clinicians to this unusual complication.