[1] Once a fistula has formed, a stone may travel from the gallbladder into the bowel and become lodged almost anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract.
Obstruction occurs most commonly at the near the distal ileum, within 60 cm proximally to the ileocecal valve.
Classic radiographic findings are known as Rigler's triad:[5] Initial management involves fluid resuscitation and potentially nasogastric suctioning.
[1] Since gallstone ileus constitutes a form of mechanical small bowel obstruction, it can be a surgical emergency and requires open or laparoscopic surgery to remove an impacted stone.
The different strategies for surgical management are controversial, and depend on factors such as patient fitness for surgery and comorbidities.