Giant Gastroduodenal Trichobezoar: An Endoscopic Surprise

Abstract

A trichobezoar is a rare condition, mostly seen in teenage girls with abnormal psychiatric behavior of eating hairs and nails (trichophagia). Trichobezoar may rarely present with nonspecific abdominal symptoms without obvious trichotillomania and trichophagia. Trichobezoar can be complicated with potentially serious conditions such as gastric outlet obstruction, gastric bleeding, intussusceptions, and perforation peritonitis. Conventional laparotomy is method of choice for the removal of trichobezoar. We describe a rare case of giant trichobezoar treated by laparoscopic‑assisted gastrostomy and removal of bezoar. We also reviewed the literature on the current status of endoscopic treatment of trichobezoar.

Keywords

• endoscopic treatment
• rapunzel syndrome
• trichobezoar