Enterolith ileus resulting from small bowel diverticulosis.

Small intestine diverticula are infrequent. These acquired pulsion diverticula are postulated to be a result of intestinal dyskinesis. Usually asymptomatic, they can produce a variety of disorders such as malabsorption, hemorrhage, diverticulitis, and perforation. The rarest complication appears to be enterolith formation and obstruction. It is postulated that dyskinesis and stasis leads to bacterial overgrowth causing decomposition of bile salts allowing precipitation and concretion. Presented is an ileal obstruction from a small bowel enterolith. A literature review revealed 25 other cases of obstruction. Most of these cases were treated with simple removal, some with small bowel resection. Results are good and recurrences have not been observed.