Complications of Bezoar in Children: What Is New?

Abstract

A bezoar is a mass found trapped in the gastrointestinal system. The condition may be associated with pica, especially in developmentally retarded children. Clinical manifestations are usually nonspecific. Endoscopic diagnosis and removal of the foreign materials is often indicated. Occasionally, severe complications may occur. We report two cases to illustrate the clinical features and complications in these children. In the first case, a reliable history was not obtained in the developmentally delayed girl which precluded prompt diagnosis, but the grossly dilated stomach on plain abdominal radiograph gave clues to an underlying insidious mechanical obstruction of upper gastrointestinal tract. In the second case of a normal child, the unrelenting symptoms and weight loss prompt further investigations which revealed the diagnosis. Literature on pediatric bezoar is reviewed. Oesophagoduodenoscopy is the investigation of choice for diagnostic confirmation, but surgical facilities must be available to deal with acute complications.

Surgical Complications of Pica Syndrome: About 03 Cases

“…Besides certain complications such as intestinal occlusion, an obstruction of the pylorus, gastric perforation as in our observations and some cases of pancreatitis [17] [26] and [27], the evolution remains favorable especially for the child, in addition to psychiatric care basing especially on behavioral therapy, parental education and medical treatment in the patients presenting a trichophagia [16] [17] [28].…”

“…Therefore, the treatment is often surgical, as it was the case in two of our observations. This allows the extraction of the bezoar and its extensions, to explore all the digestive tract, while knowing that the laparoscopic way is recently proposed as an alternative to laparotomy [17] [26].…”