A huge gastric trichobezoar presenting with Rapunzel syndrome: A case report

Abstract

Trichobezoars are gastrointestinal concretions of ingested hair. These are uncommon conditions that arise in emotionally disturbed or mentally impaired young females during childhood and adolescence. Rapunzel syndrome is rare gastric trichobezoar that extends beyond the pylorus, leading to an intestinal obstruction. Gastric trichobezoars do not manifest symptoms until they are very large. Here, we report a 16-year-old girl, with 5 years history of trichophagia and trichotillomania, who suffered a huge (30 cm × 7.5 cm × 6 cm) gastric trichobezoar extending into duodenum (Rapunzel syndrome) that was successfully addressed by laparotomy, psychiatric treatment and follow-up