RAPUNZEL SYNDROME

Authors

  • Eitezaz Ahmed Bashir
  • Samiullah Samiullah
  • Muhammad Attique Sadiq
  • Omamah Yusuf
  • Khan Karim

Abstract

A trichobezoar may be confined to the stomach or unusually it may extend from stomach to thesmall intestine or beyond when it is labelled as Rapunzel syndrome. Bezoars are concretions in thegastrointestinal tract that increase in size by continuous accumulation of non-absorbable food orfibre. Most bezoars in children are trichobezoars from swallowed hair. Repunzal syndrome is anuncommon condition in children with less than 40 cases reported. We present a case of an 8 year oldgirl with Rapunzel syndrome. She presented with vague abdominal pain and epigastric fullness ofone year duration. On investigation she was found to have a trichobezoar. At laparotomy a largedark foul smelling trichobezoar that occupied the stomach, duodenum and proximal jejunum wasremoved via gastrostomy.Keywords: Trichobezoar, abdominal mass, Rapunzel syndrome

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Published

2010-12-01

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 4 (2010): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

CASE REPORT

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