title: Gastric trichobezoar: case report and literature review.
abstract: Bezoars are conglomerates of food or fiber in the alimentary tract of humans and certain animals, mainly ruminants. In adults, bezoars are most 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 trichotillomania in whom a gastric trichobezoar resulted in failure to gain weight, iron deficiency anemia, and a painless epigastric mass. The causes of gastric bezoars are discussed, with emphasis on diagnostic considerations, treatment options, and preventive measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaheer
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Drugas
mesh_terms: D001630:Bezoars / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D002114:Calcinosis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery