Rapunzel syndrome: An infrequent cause of paediatric mechanical occlusion

Abstract

Despite numerous cases of trichobezoars reported in the literature, few Rapunzel syndromes have been described. Rapunzel syndrome is a rare case of bowel obstruction resulting from hair ingestion (trichobezoar). The obstruction can occur in any level of the intestinal tract. This syndrome is usually reported in patients affected by trichotillomania and trichophagia. We reported a case of Rapunzel syndrome in a 5-year-old girl diagnosed on an abdominal computed tomography scan and confirmed during surgery.

Keywords

• bowel obstruction
• rapunzel syndrome
• trichobezoar