GASTRIC TRICHOBEZOAR - CASE-REPORT AND LITERATURE-REVIEW

Bezoars are conglomerates of food or fiber in the alimentary tract of humans and certain animals, mainly ruminants. In adults, bezoars are m ost frequently encountered after a gastric operation, but in children, bezoars are associated with pica, mental retardation, and coexistent psychiatric pathologic disorders. We describe a 4-year-old girl with t richotillomania in whom a gastric trichobezoar resulted in failure to gain weight, iron deficiency anemia, and a painless epigastric mass. T he causes of gastric bezoars are discussed, with emphasis on diagnosti c considerations, treatment options, and preventive measures.