Trichobezoars, unlike other bezoars, are not associated with alterations in gastrointestinal motility but with underlying psychiatric disorders, and most commonly present in adolescents and during the second decade of life. Rapunzel syndrome is the term for a trichobezoar (gastric 'hair ball') which has a tail-like extension into the small bowel through the pylorus causing gastric outlet obstruction. Human hair (especially long hair) is resistant to digestion as well as peristalsis. So it tends to stay in the stomach and over a period of time may form a large ‘hair ball’. A trichobezoar may extend up to the pylorus, duodenum, or even jejunum.
A part may break off into small bowel and cause small bowel obstruction. The patient usually is an adolescent girl. The patient may have history of a psychiatric illness and occasionally a prior history of surgery may be present. Symptoms The…
