Trichobezoar from bristles brush and Carpet yarn requiring emergency laparotomy. Case report

Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2021 Feb 24:63:102192. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102192. eCollection 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Introduction and importance: When hair accumulates inside the stomach, it causes what is called a Trichobezoar, which leads to a stomach blockage, this condition is rare and more common in women and in patients with psychiatric disorders.

Case presentation: The authors report an unusual case of a 16-year-old girl who has trichobezoar not only by ingestion of hair, it is also by bristle clothes brush and Carpet yarn. she presented with acute abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms-like watery diarrhea, vomiting, hypercoria and weight loss attributed to Anorexia. With an upper gastroscopy, the condition was diagnosed as a huge Trichobezoar that occupied the stomach. The patient was managed by surgical removal of the intra gastric mass.

Clinical discussion: Affected patients infrequently remain asymptomatic for several years. Symptoms begin while the bezoar increases in size to the point of obstruction, these symptoms are nonspecific like vomiting, nausea, anorexia, asymptomatic abdominal mass and digestive bleeding.

Conclusion: Trichobezoar considers as a differential diagnosis for any patient with psychological disorders, like trichotillomania and trichophagia and has gastrointestinal symptoms.

Keywords: Abdominal mass; Trichobezoar; Trichophagia; Trichotillomania.

Publication types

  • Case Reports