Is enterolithiasis a disease occurring more frequently in desert climate? Apropos of 8 cases
Khoda, J.; Sebbag, G.; Lantzberg, L.
Journal de Chirurgie 129(2): 111-114
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-7697 PMID: 1601929 Document Number: 401891
This work is a report about 8 cases of enterolithiasis treated in our University Hospital between 1980 and 1990. We emphasize the rarity of this condition. We also note its relative frequency (5 of 8 cases) in the Bedouin population of our mostly desertic area, and question the possible impact of a diet rich in goat's milk and/or of tuberculosis, which is still endemic in some tribes. We then discuss the difficulties of diagnosis and the essential contribution of small bowel radiographs. The etiologies of enterolithiasis are reviewed, as well as the various modalities of treatment.