Ileal fecaloma causing small bowel obstruction in a young adult: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Small bowel obstruction is an acute abdominal condition often requiring emergency surgical intervention, arises from diverse causes, including rare fecalomas. While fecalomas usually affect the left colon and occur with constipation risk factors, their presence in the small bowel of young, healthy individuals is atypical. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old male of Somali-Ethiopian descent with a history of intermittent constipation presented with symptoms of small bowel obstruction. Imaging confirmed the obstruction, and surgery revealed an ileal fecaloma, which was removed via enterotomy. The patient recovered well and was discharged. CONCLUSION: Ileal fecalomas can cause small bowel obstruction in young patients even without identifiable risk factors. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and appropriate surgical management, along with avoidance of any identified risk factors, are crucial to improving patient outcomes.