The Rapunzel syndrome: case report and review of the literature.
We report a case of a gastric trichobezoar (TB) extending throughout the small bowel in a child. The possibility of a TB causing an epigastric mass should be borne in mind, and ultrasonography could be used to support such a diagnosis. These bezoars should be considered to possibly have extensions for which there may be no preoperative or endoscopic evidence. Their complete operative removal is required. A psychiatric consultation and long-term follow-up are necessary, as recurrence of trichophagia and eventually the TB could occur.
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hôpital de Montmorency, 1 rue Jean Moulin, F-95 160, Montmorency, France.
J P
JP
Bonnet
N
N
El Arbi
D
D
Chelly
D
D
Girodet