Trichobezoars are hairballs or hair-like fibers formed by chewing and swallowing hair or any other indigestible materials. Trichobezoars usually form in the gastric body and are thus prepyloric. However, trichobezoars may rarely pass through the pylorus into the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and even the colon, in a condition referred to as Rapunzel syndrome. Here, we present a case of a 13-year-ol...

trichobezoars are impactions of swallowed hairs in the stomach and occasionally in the intestine. they occur in emotionally disturbed, depressed, or mentally retarded patients who have trichotillomania and trichophagia. trichobezoars are usually diagnosed on ct scan or upper gi endoscopy. they can give rise to complications like gastroduodenal ulceration, haemorrhage, perforation, peritonitis, ...

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CASE HISTORY A five-year old girl was admitted in 1985 with an eight-day history of epigastric pain and vomiting. The pain was occasional and not severe. She had lost weight, to 13-1 kg, and was pale and thin. There was a tender epigastric mass. The haemoglobin concentration was 12-8 g/dl. Her mother said the child regularly pulled and ate the sleeves of her cardigans. An ultrasound scan showed...