Food Bolus Ileus as a Cause of High-Grade Bowel Obstruction: A Case Report

Author(s): Jin Kook Kang, Zhifei Sun

Small bowel obstruction is often caused by previous surgical scar or cancer. High grade bowel obstruction secondary to food bolus impaction is very rare especially in a young patient who has otherwise no medical or surgical history. We are presenting a unique case in a young male who presented with acute abdomen with initial CT scan suggestive of Meckel’s diverticulitis. During exploratory laparotomy, patient was found to have a severe degree of bowel obstruction with one definitive transition point caused by food bolus impaction. Food bolus ileus is a rare cause of bowel obstruction requiring surgical intervention. However, definitive intervention should not be delayed when patients present with concerning clinical signs.