Beyond the Biliary Tree: A Giant Calcified Rectal Fecalith Treated With Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy

Authors

Michael Gianarakis, University of Illinois at Chicago
Ameen Taufiq, Kansas City University
Hasan S. Raza, University of Illinois at Chicago
Omar T. Ahmed, University of Illinois at Chicago
Parth Thaker, University of Illinois at Chicago
Jesse Hartpence, Corewell Health
Brian Boulay, University of Illinois at Chicago

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

ACG Case Reports Journal

Abstract

Chronic constipation and anorectal abnormalities can lead to the formation of fecaliths. Large, calcified fecaliths may pose significant clinical challenges when conservative treatments fail, including the risk of bowel perforation and hemorrhage. Although electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) has been widely adopted for biliary and urinary calculi, its role in managing fecaliths remains rare. We report a 40-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis who presented with a large rectal fecalith successfully treated with EHL. This case underscores the potential of EHL as a minimally invasive procedure for calcified fecaliths, offering a safe alternative to surgery in patients at high risk for complications.

DOI

10.14309/crj.0000000000001835

Publication Date

9-29-2025

Keywords

constipation, endoscopy, fecalith, lithotripsy

ISSN

2326-3253

Recommended Citation

Gianarakis M, Taufiq A, Raza HS, Ahmed OT, Thaker P, Hartpence J, Boulay B. Beyond the Biliary Tree: A Giant Calcified Rectal Fecalith Treated With Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy. ACG Case Reports Journal. 2025; 12(10). doi: 10.14309/crj.0000000000001835.