Small intestinal obstruction by sunflower seed bezoar

Abstract

Bezoars are rare mass formations in the gastrointestinal tract caused by consumption of indigestible materials such as plant fibers (Phytobezoars) or hair (Trichobezoars). We report a case of a 12-year-old boy who presented with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting without any other clinical findings. Radiographic findings showed an area of obstruction in the small bowel, which we confirmed by performing an exploratory laparotomy. The treatment consisted of surgical removal of the obstructing bezoar from the distant ileum as well as excision of an incidentally identified Meckel's diverticulum. Postoperative discussions revealed, that the patient had ingested a large amount of unshelled sunflower seeds, which had caused a mass formation and obstruction of his small bowel. The patient did not suffer any complications during or after surgery and experienced a rapid recovery. Bezoars should be considered among adolescents presenting with intestinal obstruction, especially among baseball players.