Uncommon cause of respiratory failure due to a bezoar in the hypopharynx: a case report

Abstract

Background Trichotillomania and trichophagia cause trichobezoars, which are masses made of hair. The main presentation of this condition is abdominal pain. However, other complications include gastric outlet obstruction, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, malnutrition, hematemesis, diarrhea, and constipation. Case presentation A 57-year-old woman with trichotillomania was admitted to the Emergency Department with the chief complaints of dyspnea on exertion, shortness of breath, dysphagia, generalized weakness, and hoarseness. Spiral chest computed tomography (CT) scan did not reveal any parenchymal lesions Pulmonary CT angiography did not reveal pulmonary embolism. The patient was admitted to the Surgery Department for hand fasciotomy due to contrast leakage, and during laryngoscopy, a trichobezoar was detected that was removed with Magill forceps. Conclusions Rare cases of trichobezoars can be observed in humans with gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms. Precise and timely diagnosis are key for the prevention of more invasive diagnostic procedures.

Respiratory and intestinal trichobezoar in a female: An unusual case report and literature review

“…The presence of hair in the respiratory tract is extremely uncommon and can be attributed to various causes such as trichobezoar, hair acting as a foreign body, or trichoptysis secondary to teratoma 1,4–6 . Few case reports have been documented on trichobezoars in the respiratory tract.…”

“…2 Moreover, respiratory trichobezoars have been linked to increasing dyspnea, snoring, hoarseness, and dysphagia. 1,4 In this report, we describe an uncommon case where hair was found in both respiratory and GI tracts.…”

“…2 While other types of bezoars like phytobezoars (vegetable) and pharmacobezoars (undigested medication) exist, trichobezoar is the most frequently encountered form. 1,3 Although trichobezoars are commonly observed within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, they can also occur in the respiratory system. 1,4 Patients with GI trichobezoars may present a diverse range of clinical complications, such as chronic abdominal pain, gastric outlet obstruction, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, malnutrition, food intolerance, diarrhoea and constipation.…”

“…1,3 Although trichobezoars are commonly observed within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, they can also occur in the respiratory system. 1,4 Patients with GI trichobezoars may present a diverse range of clinical complications, such as chronic abdominal pain, gastric outlet obstruction, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, malnutrition, food intolerance, diarrhoea and constipation. 2 Moreover, respiratory trichobezoars have been linked to increasing dyspnea, snoring, hoarseness, and dysphagia.…”

“…Trichobezoar is the accumulation of hair in the digestive system, which occurs due to the habit of pulling and consuming hair 1 . The term ‘tricho’ originates from Greek, meaning hair, while ‘bezoar’ is derived from the Persian word ‘pādzahr’, translating to antidote, reflecting ancient beliefs about them 2 .…”