Proctological crunch: sunflower-seed bezoar.
Bezoars are the uncommon result of the ingestion of indigestible or poorly digested substances, which form a solid mass within the gastrointestinal tract. They are classified based on their content and include phytobezoars (plant fibers), trichobezoars (hair), and lactobezoars (milk curds). They may occur in combinations like trichophytobezoars, and can result from virtually anything capable of forming concretions within the gastrointestinal tract, including medications. They are found mainly in the stomach and are rare in the colon. Bezoars are uncommon in children. We report the rare case of a sunflower-seed bezoar impacted at the anal verge in a 6-year-old boy who presented initially with acute gastroenteritis. He required removal of the impaction under sedation.
Sawnani
Hemant
H
Department of Pediatrics, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, New York, USA.
McFarlane-Ferreira
Yvonne
Y
D001630:Bezoars / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D004063:Digestion; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods; D006368:Helianthus; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D012639:Seeds / Q000009:adverse effects*