Bouveret’s syndrome treated with endoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy

Abstract

Bouveret’s syndrome is a rare form of small bowel obstruction caused by a large biliary stone entering the lumen of the duodenum or the stomach through a bilioenteric fistula. Treatment options include various surgical techniques. However, recent advances in endoscopy also allow non-surgical endoscopic treatment options. We report a 68-year-old man, with a disseminated small intestinal neuroendocrine tumour, presenting with Bouveret’s syndrome without any previously reported biliary disease. He experienced a number of symptoms 1 month prior to his admittance, which were difficult to differentiate from other infectious diseases and complications due to his neuroendocrine tumour. Abdominal CT showed a biliary stone impacted in the duodenal bulb, small bowel obstruction, pneumobilia and a bilioenteric fistula. The patient was treated with endoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy to fragment the large gallstone in smaller retractable pieces. The patient avoided major surgery and was discharged the following day.