Abstract
Introduction. Trichobezoars are an infrequent form of bezoar found in the stomach or intestine, created from ingested hair. This condition has been well described in the surgical literature, but less reported in psychiatry. Case presentation. We describe the case of an 18-year-old Middle Eastern Caucasian woman with trichotillomania who presented to our emergency department with a history of central abdominal pain associated with vomiting and constipation for five days. An examination showed a trichobezoar requiring emergent surgical intervention, and indicating the need for psychiatric treatment. The trichobezoar was treated successfully by laparotomy. Conclusion: The medical and psychiatric sequelae of trichotillomania should not be underestimated, and early diagnosis and treatment is of utmost importance to save the patient's life and prevent recurrence. Although laparotomy is still considered an excellent option, pharmacotherapy and behavioral assessment play a useful role in patient management. Our case highlights the fundamental concept of a holistic approach rather than only treating the symptoms, by considering factors such as genetic influences to understand the disease.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 79 |
| Journal | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 28 2014 |
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Keywords
- Bezoar
- Endoscopy
- Iraq
- Laparoscopy
- Mass
- Rapunzel syndrome
- Trichobezoar
- Trichotillomania
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
Unusual trichobezoar of the stomach and the intestine : A case report. / Al-Janabi, Issam S.; Al-Sharbaty, Muthanna A.; Al-Sharbati, Marwan M.; Al-Sharifi, Laith A.; Ouhtit, Allal.
In: Journal of Medical Case Reports, Vol. 8, No. 1, 79, 28.02.2014.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Unusual trichobezoar of the stomach and the intestine
T2 - A case report
AU - Al-Janabi, Issam S.
AU - Al-Sharbaty, Muthanna A.
AU - Al-Sharbati, Marwan M.
AU - Al-Sharifi, Laith A.
AU - Ouhtit, Allal
PY - 2014/2/28
Y1 - 2014/2/28
N2 - Introduction. Trichobezoars are an infrequent form of bezoar found in the stomach or intestine, created from ingested hair. This condition has been well described in the surgical literature, but less reported in psychiatry. Case presentation. We describe the case of an 18-year-old Middle Eastern Caucasian woman with trichotillomania who presented to our emergency department with a history of central abdominal pain associated with vomiting and constipation for five days. An examination showed a trichobezoar requiring emergent surgical intervention, and indicating the need for psychiatric treatment. The trichobezoar was treated successfully by laparotomy. Conclusion: The medical and psychiatric sequelae of trichotillomania should not be underestimated, and early diagnosis and treatment is of utmost importance to save the patient's life and prevent recurrence. Although laparotomy is still considered an excellent option, pharmacotherapy and behavioral assessment play a useful role in patient management. Our case highlights the fundamental concept of a holistic approach rather than only treating the symptoms, by considering factors such as genetic influences to understand the disease.
AB - Introduction. Trichobezoars are an infrequent form of bezoar found in the stomach or intestine, created from ingested hair. This condition has been well described in the surgical literature, but less reported in psychiatry. Case presentation. We describe the case of an 18-year-old Middle Eastern Caucasian woman with trichotillomania who presented to our emergency department with a history of central abdominal pain associated with vomiting and constipation for five days. An examination showed a trichobezoar requiring emergent surgical intervention, and indicating the need for psychiatric treatment. The trichobezoar was treated successfully by laparotomy. Conclusion: The medical and psychiatric sequelae of trichotillomania should not be underestimated, and early diagnosis and treatment is of utmost importance to save the patient's life and prevent recurrence. Although laparotomy is still considered an excellent option, pharmacotherapy and behavioral assessment play a useful role in patient management. Our case highlights the fundamental concept of a holistic approach rather than only treating the symptoms, by considering factors such as genetic influences to understand the disease.
KW - Bezoar
KW - Endoscopy
KW - Iraq
KW - Laparoscopy
KW - Mass
KW - Rapunzel syndrome
KW - Trichobezoar
KW - Trichotillomania
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84896072310&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/1752-1947-8-79
DO - 10.1186/1752-1947-8-79
M3 - Article
VL - 8
JO - Journal of Medical Case Reports
JF - Journal of Medical Case Reports
SN - 1752-1947
IS - 1
M1 - 79
ER -