Case of the Rapunzel Syndrome in a Child.
- Author:
Wook KIM
1
;
Do Sang LEE
;
Il Young PARK
;
Gi Young SUNG
;
Moo Hyung SONG
;
Jong Man WON
Author Information
1. Department of Surgery, Holy Family Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Puchon, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Rapunzel syndrome;
Trichobezoar;
Child
- MeSH:
Adult;
Bezoars;
Child*;
Deglutition;
Duodenum;
Female;
Floors and Floorcoverings;
Gastric Mucosa;
Gastric Outlet Obstruction;
Hair;
Humans;
Intellectual Disability;
Jejunum;
Pica;
Recurrence;
Ulcer;
Vomiting
- From:Journal of the Korean Surgical Society
2001;60(1):118-121
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Rapunzel syndrome is a rare form of gastric trichobezoar extending through the small bowel and develops after swallowing hairs or carpet which are trapped in the gastric mucosa and become enmeshed. In adult, it occurs most frequently after a gastric resection, but in children, it is frequently associated with pica, mental retardation, and coexistent psychiatric pathologic disorders. This syndrome is usually found in girls with varying gastrointestinal symptoms due to gastric outlet obstruction or secondary ulcerations. Although most small trichobezoars are removed easily by using a gastrofiberscope, surgical removal is recommended for large or complicated trichobezoar. In this syndrome, psychiatric treatment should follow to diminish the frequency of recurrence. We report the case report of a 6-year-old girl who frequently swallowed of her hairs for 3 years, resulting in frequent vomiting and an epigastric palpable mass in which a gastric trichobezoar extended to the duodenum and proximal jejunum.
