Meckel's enterolith : a rare cause of mechanical small bowel subobstruction.

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital gastrointestinal malformation and may present with bleeding, obstruction and diverticulitis. Symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum is associated with age <50 years, male gender, diverticular length > 2 cm and ectopic mucosa. Formation of enteroliths is a rare complication of Meckel's diverticulum and the majority of stones will remain in the diverticulum. Factors promoting enterolith formation through precipitation of calcium in the small intestinal alkaline environment include stasis as well as diverticular anatomy and histology. Mechanical obstruction due to liberation of enteroliths is even more rare and other mechanisms include intussusception, adhesions, volvulus and neoplasms. Visualization of enteroliths on plain abdominal films is challenging because not all stones are radiopaque. Surgical diverticulectomy or segmental bowel resection with anastomosis is preferred in case of complications. We present a case of mechanical small bowel sub-obstruction resulting from an expelled Meckel's enterolith. © Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica.