Small-Bowel Obstruction Secondary to Trichobezoar in Young Children: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: The term bezoar refers to an intraluminal masse in the gastrointestinal system caused by the accumulation of indigestible ingested materials. Trichobezoar is a compact conglomeration of swallowed hair and constitutes less than 6% of all bezoars. The stomach is the common site of occurrence and many patients may remain asymptomatic or present a mild form of the disease. Intestinal obstruction due to trichobezoar is an extremely rare complication. The clinical findings of bezoar-induced ileus do not differ from those of mechanical bowel obstruction due to other causes and they are rarely reported in the pediatric age group.

Case presentation: we report a case of acute small-bowel obstruction due to trichobezoar in a three years old boy with no history of eating disorder which presented an abdominal distention.

Conclusion: This case serves to raise awareness of trichobezoar as a diagnosis in young children who present with abdominal pain, palpable mass, and signs of acute small-bowel obstruction